An Inventory or Supply Specialist specializes in tracking and managing inventory and supplies to improve production or distribution at a company or organization. Manages purchase orders, or distribution of materials between different centers of a large company.
Description Job Summary The Lead Inventory Specialist position in Rockford, IL is responsible for overseeing the daily planning, procurement, inventory control, and material flow to support precision aerospace manufacturing operations. This role ensures material availability, optimizes inventory, improves supplier performance, and ensures timely delivery to customers. The Lead Inventory Specialist collaborates with various departments to execute Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process and drive continuous improvement in the supply chain.
Major Responsibilities:
Materials Planning Develop and implement production material plans based on customer demand and production schedules. Manage MRP recommendations, release purchase orders, and manufacturing orders on time. Analyze excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory to develop reduction plans. Establish inventory policies for safety stock and reorder points. Purchasing and Supplier Management Procure raw materials, machined components, outside processing, hardware, and indirect materials. Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supplier agreements. Build strategic relationships with suppliers focusing on quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness. Production Support Coordinate material availability with production schedules. Lead shortage meetings and establish recovery plans. Support engineering changes and material transitions. Ensure accurate material transactions in the ERP system. Continuous Improvement Lead Productivity Projects to improve supplier performance and savings. Enhance inventory turns and cash utilization. Reduce supplier lead times and improve on-time delivery. Standardize planning processes across locations. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) On-Time Delivery (OTD) Purchase Price Variance (PPV) Inventory Turns Inventory Accuracy Supplier On-Time Delivery Supplier Quality Performance Material Shortage Reduction MRP Action Completion Working capital reduction
Requirements Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field. 3-5 years of experience in materials management, supply chain, purchasing, or production planning. Experience in aerospace, defense, precision machining, or manufacturing. Strong ERP/MRP experience (Epicor, Infor, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent). Strong analytical and Excel skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in aerospace, defense, medical device, or precision manufacturing. APICS CPIM or CSCP certification. Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience. Experience supporting AS9100 manufacturing environments. Government contracting or defense industry experience.
Minimum Competencies:
Aerospace or highly regulated industry experience preferred. Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage supplier relationships and cross-functional projects effectively. Knowledge of inventory planning, supplier performance metrics, and strategic sourcing principles. Excellent communication and organizational skills.
