Sr Supplier Performance Analyst, Zoro
Company Summary:
Zoro offers millions and millions of products — an endless aisle with everything you need to run your business. We offer fast and free shipping, no-hassle returns, and exceptional customer service. We’ve grown quickly in a short time and are continuing to do so while aggressively growing our revenue. We are excited to be a part of an award-winning culture — we have been named a Great Place to Work for multiple years in a row, among other local and national accolades. We think Zoro is a pretty amazing place to work and grow, and think you will too!
Primary Function:
The Sr. Supplier Performance Analyst will be responsible for managing availability, purchasing, supplier performance and operational excellence with 2-6 strategic suppliers or approximately $200M to $500M annually. The Sr. Supplier Performance Analyst will also be a leader for cross functional process improvement projects for the department.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Improve Availability Performance
- Responsible for the availability of products associated with the suppliers they manage. This role, when not managed properly has a significant impact on internal resources, including unnecessary hours of data entry, the need for additional physical inventory, significant reconciliation issues, immediate impact on availability within the network, and incorrect payment terms.
- Responsible for managing 2-6 complex supplier relationships, many with multiple locations, with an annual spend of $200-500M.
- Develop strategic plans with suppliers to manage performance metrics within expected guidelines. Plans will be reviewed and modified on a consistent basis to ensure Grainger standards are upheld by suppliers. This is particularly important as suppliers experience internal change – either staff or location.
- Create and manage project teams with internal and external participants to ensure alignment with expected deliverables.
- Develop and monitor corrective actions plans with outlined time tables in partnership with suppliers, whereby their performance falls below expected levels.
- Educate suppliers on internal processes and programs prior to order placement with the organization.
- Serve as the liaison between several internal and external groups to report out on supplier performance. Supplier performance is managed based upon the expectations established by the supplier scorecard, specifically delivery performance and transactional quality.
- Partner with suppliers to review their operations and make recommendations for improvement.
- Manage processes for preventing stock outs and responding faster to demand (generating purchases as needed, collaborating with planning group on inventory adjustments).
- Partners with supplier to reduce lead times and lead time variability.
- Manage seasonal item performance at the supplier level.
Manage Life Cycle of Inventory
- Manage New Item Addition process effectively.
- Improve availability of new items and adjust during ramp up, as needed.
- Manage Item Discontinuation process effectively.
- Reduce excess / obsolete inventory.
- Ensure proper communication is being generated for items being discontinued or for items experiencing availability problems.
Collaborate with Merchandising on Supplier Selection and Supplier Management
- Provide evaluation of new suppliers’ capabilities during line review or expansion opportunities.
- Ensure new suppliers are ready to perform.
- Work with Merchandising to find new sources of supply for suppliers who are not performing
- Serves as the back-up for the Category Purchasing Manager.
Qualifications:
- BS/BA or equivalent, MBA preferred.
- 5 to 7 years of Supply Chain Management, or related experience.
- 3 to 5 years of experience negotiating terms with suppliers.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Inventory Management fundamentals, including forecasting, safety stock, ROP, etc.
- Ability to foster, manage and leverage relationships at varying levels internally & externally.
- Systemic thinking and problem solving. Exposure to Six Sigma methodology desirable.
- Ability to influence decisions with teams without direct management responsibility.
- Demonstrated experience establishing high standards and holding people accountable for results.
- Proven project management experience.
- Financial acumen, with a focus on understanding the cost/benefit of varying solutions.
- Systems - Proficient in Excel, exposure to Access and/or other database and reporting tools.
- Exposure to SAP desirable.
- APICS certification desirable.
Zoro Values and Inclusive Culture: We share a commitment to our Zoro values – Win & Lose Together (We prefer winning!), Take Ownership, We Are Transparent, and Aspire to be Customer-Obsessed. Everything we do at Zoro is centered around delighting our customers. It's a natural extension of our company culture and how we care for each other. We believe when we act in ways that are consistent with these values, we can solve any technical challenge that lies ahead of us. As a Zoro employee, you can expect to work with smart, energetic people, learn something every day, and be valued for your perspective.
Zoro is dedicated to fostering an environment where people of all backgrounds and beliefs are represented, and all team members can be confident that their experiences and perspectives are valued. Zoro aims to empower all employees to learn about, raise awareness, and promote diversity and inclusion through all of our workplace interactions.
Zoro is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.