Supply Planner

Job Description

This position is for a SUPPLY PLANNER

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Supply Planner performs “end-to-end” material supply management activities to meet material demand requirements for assigned commodities. This includes planning, purchasing, order placement, expediting, and distribution of materials to support of both planned and unplanned work across Transmission and Distribution lines of business. Supply Planners support the business through the following main activities:
● Replenishment, Fulfillment, and Expediting
● Inventory Planning and Optimization

● Replenishment, Fulfillment, and Expediting
○ Determine material procurement quantities, delivery schedules, urgency, and priority of material requests for assigned commodities
○ Review and approve stock material replenishment from the vendor or an internal transfer to the warehouse
○ Coordinate with Demand Planners to confirm demand accuracy, quantity, and need dates for material requests
○ Collaborate with Demand planner and Vendor for new project material fulfilment
○ Ensure adequate supply of materials to meet demand for planned and unplanned work
○ Review and approve Integrated Supply Management (ISM) materials replenishment from the vendor
○ Review and confirm upcoming supplier deliveries, identify, and expedite material as required
○ Manage purchase requisitions and place purchase orders for all material requests
○ Partner with Sourcing to execute RFQs / RFPs for project materials
○ Adhere to corporate policy, purchasing guidelines, and utilize experience and knowledge of market conditions and suppliers on all purchasing / order placement activities
○ Provide feedback to Sourcing on suppliers related issues: product quality, packaging, damages, and invoice/receipt discrepancies

● Inventory Planning and Optimization
○ Manage inventory planning parameters (Lead Times, Min, Max, etc.) on assigned commodities and assigned storage locations across the territories
○ Determine appropriate supply strategy and optimize inventory levels to meet service levels, minimize stock outs, and ensure security of supply while balancing financial risk of excess inventory and carrying costs
○ Identify and develop a plan to reduce surplus material for assigned commodity
○ Support dispositions for obsolete or damaged materials
○ Provide input on salvage, trade-in, or resale items to Investment Recovery
○ Work closely with Demand Planner and Inventory Analyst to ensure high service levels

● Other
○ Partner with Inventory Analyst to review and support improvement opportunities: recurring material planning issues, inventory data discrepancies
○ Partner with LOB to set-up new items in the material planning system. Coordinate research with Global Procurement to identify material requirements (description, manufacturer name, part number) and available suppliers
○ Participate in min / max levels review meetings for crew stock materials.

Thorough knowledge and experience in purchasing, order placement, and inventory planning / management processes described above
● Excellent analytical skills to analyze large data sets and make recommendations based on findings
● Required systems knowledge:
○ Common desktop personal computer and application programs
○ Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Visio
○ Ability to utilize MS Excel for complex data analysis
○ Experience or knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. SAP)
● Knowledge of materials used in utilities (Transmission and Distribution) or related asset intensive industries is preferable
● Well-developed oral, written, negotiation communication, and interpersonal skills
● Ability to work in teams and coordinate with cross-functional areas including end users in Transmission and Distribution as well as key stakeholders across Quality, Engineering Standards, Supply Chain and Finance
● Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business Administration or equivalent practical work experience combined with relevant courses preferred
● 3 – 5 years of demonstrated Supply Chain and Purchasing/Inventory Planning experience typically acquired through working in a field office performing inventory or purchasing related function preferred
● Completed courses in supply chain related disciplines preferred
● APICS CPIM Certification or certification in progress preferable
● Previous experience in utilities or similar asset intensive industry would be considered an asset

This position is one of National Grid’s career path roles which provide for promotional opportunities within and across salary bands as you develop and evolve in the position by gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills.
National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve.

National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.