SUMMARY: The Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for managing purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance for assigned commodities with increasing autonomy and accountability. This role focuses on optimizing inventory levels, improving supplier performance, and driving measurable outcomes across cost, service, and working capital.
$76,000 - $99,600 annually, DOEThe Supply Chain Specialist contributes to commodity performance by independently managing sourcing, planning, and supplier activities while applying data, analytics, and market insights to support business objectives
PURPOSE: Own end-to-end performance of assigned commodities by managing purchasing, inventory, and supplier activities that deliver measurable value across cost, inventory optimization, supplier performance, and service execution.
This role is accountable from source 1 pay 1 performance outcomes while operating in a collaborative environment where supplier selection may be shared, but ownership of commodity performance remains with the Buyer II.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
COMMODITY OWNERSHIP- Owns assigned SKUs, suppliers, and purchasing activity within assigned commodities
- Maintains accountability for cost, inventory, service, and supplier performance outcomes
- Makes decisions related to product mix, stocking strategy, and supplier utilization
- Proactively manages trade-offs between cost, service, and working capital
- Performance Expectations:
- Demonstrates clear accountability for results-not activities
- Resolves issues independently with minimal escalation
- Takes ownership of commodity performance and outcomes
STRATEGIC SOURCING & COST MANAGEMENT- Develops and executes sourcing activities aligned with company objectives
- Leads supplier discussions and negotiations within assigned scope
- Identifies and executes cost reduction and value improvement opportunities
- Applies understanding of supplier cost drivers (materials, labor, freight)
Performance Expectations:- Actively identifies cost savings opportunities
- Applies Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index (PPI) insights to decisions
- Begins influencing supplier pricing and terms
INVENTORY & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT- Owns inventory performance including turns, excess, stockouts, and availability
- Executes replenishment strategies based on demand and service needs
- Partners with planning functions on Material Requirements Planning (MRP) inputs while retaining accountability
- Drives improvements in inventory positioning and working capital efficiency
- Performance Expectations:
- Balances service levels with inventory and working capital
- Drives improvement in inventory turns and excess reduction
- Anticipates and mitigates supply risks
SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT- Monitors and manages supplier performance including delivery, responsiveness, and quality
- Holds suppliers accountable for On-Time In-Full (OTIF), lead time, and service expectations
- Builds and maintains professional, performance-focused supplier relationships
- Performance Expectations:
- Drives Improvement in supplier performance
- Strengthens supplier relationships through accountability and communication
- Supports consistent and reliable supplier execution
MARKET & ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE- Maintains knowledge of commodity markets, supply/demand dynamics and cost drivers
- Applies BLS/PPI and market trends to sourcing and inventory decisions
- Aligns purchasing decisions with market conditions and customer demand
- Performance Expectations:
- Demonstrates understanding of market dynamics
- Uses data and insights to support decisions
- Begins anticipating market trends and risks
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP- Partners with Sales, Operations, Finance and internal teams to align supply chain decisions
- Influences product, service levels, and inventory strategies
- Supports Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) processes
- Performance Expectations:
- Collaborates effectively across functions
- Influences decisions impacting service and performance
- Aligns actions with customer and business needs
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT / FORCE MULTIPLIER- Identifies improvements in cost, service, working capital, and processes
- Supports adoption of new tools, systems, and best practices
- Contributes ideas to improve supply chain performance
- Performance Expectations:
- Drives continuous improvement initiatives
- Identifies value creation opportunities
- Contributes to a proactive and high-performance culture
KEY PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREASPerformance in this role is measured through contribution to the following areas:
- Cost management and purchasing decisions aligned with company objectives
- Inventory performance including availability, inventory turns, and reduction of excess
- Supplier performance including delivery, responsiveness, and issue resolution
- Service and product availability to support branch and customer needs
- Data and system integrity, including accuracy of item and planning data
- Process execution with consistency, discipline, and adherence to standards
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE- Consistent delivery of KPI targets
- Measurable improvements in cost, inventory, and service
- Recognized ownership of assigned commodities
- Proactive, solutions-oriented approach
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:- Bachelor's preferred (Business, Supply Chain, Finance or related field. Expertise managing suppliers and inventory performance. Minimum of 4-7 years of experience in supply chain or purchasing inventory management, operations, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience using automated purchasing, ERP, or inventory management systems to manage purchasing and inventory activities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with vendors, branches, and cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage purchasing decisions, inventory performance, and supplier relationships
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support decision-making
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office with strong proficiency in Excel (e.g., pivot tables, data analysis)
- Working knowledge of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) concepts and inventory planning processes
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions with minimal supervision
- Understanding of supplier cost drivers (materials, labor, freight) and their impact on purchasing decisions
- Demonstrated ability to balance cost, service, and inventory considerations to achieve business objectives
- Ability to influence outcomes through collaboration with cross-functional partners
- Demonstrates accountability and ownership of assigned commodities and performance outcomes
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Ability to pass background check and drug screen
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and vendors.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and business operating software purchasing systems.
ATTENDANCE DEMANDS: The attendance demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Attendance is required Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. or within normal business hours as established by the supervisor. Employee may be required to work overtime, and occasional weekends.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, handle, or feel; and required to speak, read and hear English. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and may be occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Located mostly in an office environment with some exposure to a warehouse environment.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- This is a high stress and fast paced environment.
DISCLAIMER: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
