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Lead Supply Chain Coordinator

Location:3079 Three Mile Road, Walker, MI 49534

Who We Are:

Challenge’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Together we own Safety! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

The Lead Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for managing a group of Supply Chain Analysts, ensuring adherence to internal/external customer launch requirements and execution of the CMC Material’s policies and procedures. Responsible for managing KPI reporting and improvement for the following: freight costs, inventory adjustments, line items past due, and cycle counts, launch readiness. The MRP Assistant Manager will work to train and develop the Supply Chain Analyst team and MRP Planners. They are subject matter experts in our ordering, receiving, shipping, and cycle counting processes and procedures as it relates to launching and sunsetting a program. They will also develop processes to maximize stewardship, safety, quality and productivity across the company.

What You'll Do:

  • Assess the skill level of MRP Planners, Supply Chain Analysts, to provide training as needed to advance skills.
  • Train newly hired Supply Chain Analysts and MRP Planners and create and implement continual education within material management.
  • Monitor Supply Chain Analyst KPI’s for accuracy and lead efforts to improve metrics.
  • Help Plan and manage results of Annual Physical Inventories.
  • Track programs launch and sunset activities.
  • BOM creation and maintenance in Plex from Launch to Sunset of all Programs.
  • Manage Supply Chain for the entirety of Launch between Tier 1, Tier, 2, Integrators, Die Shops and OEM for all Programs.
  • Participate in launch meetings to plan out activities in future time periods and audit for BOM accuracy and forecasting parameters.
  • Drive team for thorough analysis of material adjustments as they relate to program launch and ensure detailed investigation and comprehensive corrective actions are put in place.
  • Driving continuous improvements, problem solving activities and stretch Delivery targets.
  • Review demand and supply to understand bottleneck and propose alternative capacity or areas needing capacity improvement to meet demand.
  • Participate in business planning meetings to plan out activities in future time periods.
  • Promote transparent communications between supplier and customer regarding manufacturing limitations and/or opportunities.
  • Participate in launch of new Challenge Mfg plants.
  • Performing other duties as necessary in support of business objectives

When and Where:

This will be a 8AM - 5PM M-F (weekends when needed) position located at our Plant in Walker, MI.

What You Need to Have:

  • Bachelor’s degree (major or concentration in Supply Chain Management/Logistics is a strong plus).
  • Minimum of five years’ work experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Proven leadership experience required
  • Ability to create accountability and to lead by example
  • Strong team building, decision-making and people management skills
  • In depth understanding and working knowledge of Inventory Control, Shipping, and Receiving.
  • 5+ years of experience in material planning, inventory management, purchasing, or a related position.
  • Experience with Plex Systems ERP strongly preferred.
  • Previous experience in automotive industry preferred.
  • Has high standards of performance for self.
  • Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes.
  • Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.
  • Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress.
  • Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.
  • Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support material flow.
  • Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers.
  • Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities.
  • Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.
  • Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Detail oriented and a high-level of organization.
  • Computer literacy required, including MS Office (Excel) and ERP/MRP experience
  • Personal attributes must include integrity and ability to conduct self in a firm, fair, friendly and consistent manner.
  • Ability to solve problems in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on customer service, accuracy, and timeliness.
  • Up to 40% travel to the customer, other company manufacturing sites, supplier sites, and off-site training may be involved

What We Offer:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life, Voluntary Life and LTD, Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.