The purpose of the Product Specialist is to create and execute an operational strategy to meet the commercial objectives of an assigned product line. The strategies are focused on inventory planning, inventory replenishment/buying, and inventory allocation to sales orders.
Areas of Responsibility / Tasks
Performance must reflect appropriate level of expertise and achievement of the desired results for the items listed below.
It is the Purchasing Specialist’s responsibility conduct a plan to have the right products, in the right quantities, in the right location, at a competitive cost in order to fulfill sales orders for forecasted and non-forecasted business to support growth. The objectives are: to limit cost associated with carrying inventory, optimize margin through aligning demand with stocking program, and to provide guidance to the commercial team regarding availability and pricing.
Sales Order (SO) Fulfillment
Responsible for collaborating with Demand Planning to build a balance inventory replenishment plan to satisfy current demand and promote sales growth, while achieving inventory turn targets
Compares market/demand knowledge with inventory replenishment reports, build order list, and instruct Purchasing team to issue purchase orders for the order list
Limit aged and obsolete inventory through proper planning, execution and other disciplines
Approve segmentation of products (quarterly) that drives replenishment and order handling rules
Serves as primary point of contact for the commercial team regarding availability and pricing
Establishes path for shipping orders via inventory batch assignment or other fulfillment plan at time of order entry (performed through Ravago’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
Review low margin orders for approval for shipment
Facilitates the movement of product through the sales team via proactive communications to ensure forecasted business is being fulfilled as planned
Initiates material movement orders, warehouse transfers and repackaging orders to fulfill shipping order requirements
Provides disposition instructions for damaged product
Present opportunities for improvement to current processes
All other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities
Not Applicable
Competencies; Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA)
To perform this role successfully, an individual must have experience achieving desired result(s) in their areas of responsibility. The requirements listed below are representative of observable behaviors and essential knowledge, skill, and abilities required of a successful incumbent within our culture.
Proven communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written) and ability to establish relationships and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders
Must exhibit business acumen and commercial understanding with an attention to detail and ability to prioritize
Ability to analyze data/reports to make and execute action plan
Proficiency in MS Excel, Word and Outlook. Experience with other purchasing/supply chain systems is a plus