Planning, Shipping & Purchasing Manager

Reports to:

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the Planning, Purchasing, and Shipping (Logistics) functions end to end, ensuring operational continuity, on time customer deliveries, cost efficiency, and full compliance with Colombian regulations, Free Trade Zone requirements, and customs regulations.
To ensure that customer requirements are properly identified, recorded, and met by working closely with various other functions such as Sales, Logistics, and Production. To manage the other members of the team and split the workload as needed to manage internal demand. To effectively communicate with sales team and other functions to ensure sales orders are processed and fulfilled efficiently. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manage the team development and performance for providing post-sales order processing, import and export logistic services, on time planning and raw materials on time supply.
• Manage all area supplier relationships to ensure reliability, competitive costs, agreed lead times, and service levels
• Oversee all inbound and outbound logistics operations, including imports, exports, and domestic shipments, also all legal and regulatory requirements from the Free Trade Zone.
• Monitor supplier performance and support annual supplier assessments on quality, service, planning, and delivery
• Collaborate with stakeholders (sales & factory teams) for timely order production and facilitate communication of the updated status.
• Be fully ready as back-up of local planner, buyers or shipping assistant positions when required.
• Support GM and Ops Manager for all required reports and business analysis.
• Lead monthly managerial meeting on the division and within the Operations department for KPIs and business review. Follow up on actions resulting in the meetings.
• Attend and answer all required audits and requirements for the ISO management systems for all areas under scope.
• Identify material or capacity risks early and proactively escalate to Operations and relevant stakeholders.
• Allocate workload and set priorities to ensure timely execution of operational activities in the area.
• Ensure full compliance with Colombian regulations, DIAN, Free Trade Zone (Zona Franca) requirements, and applicable trade regulations.
• Coordinate freight forwarders, customs brokers, and transport providers to optimize cost, transit time, and service level.Monitor slow moving, obsolete, or excess inventory and define action plans with relevant stakeholders.
• Support cost reduction initiatives related to purchasing, freight, and logistics activities, support overall operations cost area review monthly with finance team to guarantee proper cost allocation.
• Lead the S&OP monthly meeting between sales and operations to improve service and stock levels.
• All other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Operations Manager.

Skills and Attributes Required

• Professional degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Foreign Trade or related fields
• Have at least 6 years’ experience in Planning, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Logistics and Administration, and 3 years in leading roles within these areas with proven people management record.
• English: Capable of professional communication with international suppliers and stakeholders
• Have strong skills in Microsoft Office incl. most importantly Excel, and ability to work with Microsoft Dynamics D365/CRM & PV and power BI reporting.
• Ability to ensure data accuracy and process discipline.
• Be self-motivated with a positive attitude, be enthusiastic and a team player.
• Able to work efficiently and effectively with attention to detail and quality.
• Good capability to set priorities, allocate workload and manage multiple competing demands in a dynamic operational environment
• Good ability to lead, develop and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across planning, purchasing and shipping functions.
• High attention to detail, discipline and quality orientation, even under time pressure