Job Description:Title: Global Supply Planner
Department: Supply Chain - Global Supply Planning
Reports to: Manager, Supply Chain - Global Supply Planning
Location: United States (Fremont, CA) - role supports domestic and global suppliers and may require periodic travel
Role SummaryThe Global Supply Planner is responsible for leading supplier allocation planning, securing supply continuity, and driving supplier performance to support Nextpower's large-scale solar project execution. This role owns supply planning execution across key suppliers and product families, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, sourcing strategies, and operational delivery requirements.
The position plays a critical role in identifying supply risks early, implementing mitigation and recovery strategies, and enhancing end-to-end visibility from purchase order through delivery. The Global Supply Planner partners cross-functionally with Sourcing, Engineering, Regional Delivery, Manufacturing, and Logistics teams to ensure supply commitments are met while optimizing cost, service, and operational performance.
The role directly protects revenue, enables project execution, and strengthens supplier partnerships critical to Nextpower's growth in the renewable energy sector.
Key ResponsibilitiesSupply Planning & Allocation- Lead supplier allocation planning based on demand forecasts, supplier capacity, pricing agreements, and contractual volume commitments.
- Secure supply commitments aligned with forecasted demand and sourcing strategies.
- Balance supply availability with project priorities to protect revenue and customer commitments.
- Monitor material readiness to ensure alignment with production and project schedules.
Supply Risk Management & Continuity- Identify potential supply gaps early through proactive analysis of forecast, capacity, and lead-time constraints.
- Develop and execute mitigation and recovery plans to protect project timelines and reduce business risk.
- Support new supplier ramp-ups, capacity expansions, and production readiness initiatives.
- Partner with Sourcing on supplier strategy decisions, including capacity planning and long-term supply agreements.
Supplier Performance Management- Drive supplier On-Time Shipment (OTS) performance in collaboration with regional delivery and logistics teams.
- Lead regular supplier performance reviews to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
- Standardize supplier management processes to improve accountability, visibility, and execution discipline.
- Serve as the primary cross-functional point of contact for supply-related production and execution issues.
Planning Systems & Process Excellence- Leverage MRP and advanced planning tools (Anaplan, Oracle, Excel, Power BI) to manage supply signals and improve planning accuracy.
- Enhance end-to-end visibility from purchase order through delivery to improve transparency and decision-making.
- Improve inventory health by ensuring planning accuracy and reducing excess, obsolete, or aging material.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen supply planning processes and operational performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner closely with Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Logistics, Regional Delivery, and Project Operations teams.
- Align supply plans with product launches, engineering changes, and project execution requirements.
- Communicate supply risks, trade-offs, and recovery actions clearly to leadership and stakeholders.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field with at least 5 years of experience in supply planning, master scheduling, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership; or a Master's degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- Strong command of supply planning principles, including forecasting, MRP logic, capacity planning, and supplier allocation strategies.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Oracle or similar) and advanced planning tools (Anaplan or equivalent);strong analytical capabilities in Excel; Power BI a plus.
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier performance in a global, fast-paced environment.
- Experience in solar, electronics, semiconductor, steel, automotive, heavy equipment, or comparable industries preferred.
- APICS certification preferred.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional and supplier stakeholders without direct authority.
Competencies- Strategic and operational thinker with strong problem-solving capability.
- Data-driven decision-maker with high analytical rigor.
- Proactive risk identifier with a bias for action and execution.
- Strong cross-functional collaborator across regions, cultures, and time zones.
- Ownership mindset with ability to operate effectively in a growth-oriented, fast-moving environment.
