Inventory Replenishment Planner

POSITION: Replenish Inventory Planner

LOCATION: Germiston

1. SCOPE

• Covers all items with defined safety stock parameters across the group.
• Applies to locally manufactured, imported, and purchased items.
• Focuses on execution and control, not people management.
• Works within agreed inventory policies, planning parameters, and approval frameworks.
• Supports Central Warehouse and multiple branches as applicable.

2. PURPOSE

• The Inventory Replenishment Planner is responsible for monitoring safety stock levels and executing timely replenishment actions to ensure stock availability while optimizing working capital. The role focuses on maintaining agreed safety stock levels by analysing demand, lead times, on hand stock, work in progress, buyouts, imports, including bill of material and triggering replenishment through black stock, manufacturing, imports, or local procurement.
• The role requires speed and accuracy when customer orders are involved, ensuring critical orders are fulfilled on time while maintaining inventory control and quality standards.

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Matric (diploma or degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field advantageous).
• Computer literacy essential - advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, formulas, and data analysis).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to multi task and work under pressure.
• 2-3 years' experience in inventory planning and replenishment.
• Exposure to safety stock methodologies, lead time planning, and replenishment cycles.
• ERP system experience (Business Central, SAP, or similar).
• Planning experience, qualification and relevant experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment advantageous.

5. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1 Safety Stock Monitoring and Planning

• Monitor safety stock levels for all inventory types: standard stock, customer specific items, and automotive parts (manufactured, imported, bought out).
• Run planning cycles in ERP and extract daily "Day to Day" reports, using Planning Reports/Tools to ensure all required actions are executed timeously.
• Identify stock shortages and follow up with appropriate stakeholders.
• Communicate shortfalls and ensure corrective actions, including:
• Internal sales sourcing.
• Factory works orders for manufacturing.
• Expeditor instructions for packing substitutes.
• Ensure daily plating and production requirements are followed up and sent on time.

5.2 Replenishment and Inventory Control

• Trigger replenishment actions to maintain safety stock levels and meet customer order requirements with speed and efficiency.
• Coordinate closely with production planners, operations managers, sales, and finance teams to resolve inventory issues.
• Assist in expediting transfer orders.

5.3 Subcontractor and Third Party Coordination

• Prioritise and plan, along with the Receiving Department, items at subcontractors (heat treatment, plating, buyouts) to meet inventory and customer requirements.

5.4 Communication and Reporting

• Communicate non compliance or potential delays in sales order fulfilment to sales and warehouse teams in advance.

5.5 Quality and Non Conformance Management

• Authorised to stop or isolate any product or process that deviates from approved procedures to prevent non conforming product from leaving the premises or being further processed.
• Responsible for reporting any non conformance to the relevant manager and, where appropriate, initiating Corrective Action.
• Ensure all inventory actions, replenishment, and handling comply with quality standards.
• The above must be executed to meet on time delivery of all orders.

6. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

• Inform Quality of intention to request a deviation.
• If QMS is to be deviated from, submit DOC 007 deviation form to QC and obtain authorisation before further processing.
• Prior communication and approval from QC are mandatory for any deviations.

7. AUTHORITY

• Authority to trigger replenishment actions within approved parameters.
• Authorised to stop or isolate non conforming products or processes.
• Recommend changes to safety stock levels or planning rules to the Inventory and Supply Chain Manager.
• Escalate deviations or exceptions to Inventory Manager and Supply Chain Manager.
• No authority to approve supplier contracts, pricing, or people related decisions.

8. CONSTRAINTS

• Conduct all duties professionally, adhering to statutory and legal requirements and company policies.
• Ensure all internal and external interactions reflect the company's standards.

9. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• English literacy essential.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues to inspire continual quality improvements.
• Friendly, confident, and professional in disposition.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with all personnel.

10. DEPARTMENTAL INTERACTION

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, branches, warehouse teams, and internal departments.

11. DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

• Continuously develop skills to stay abreast of new technologies and developments in the inventory and supply chain field.

12. HOUSEKEEPING AND SAFETY

• Maintain workplace cleanliness and personal hygiene.
• Keep equipment and items in their assigned locations.
• Follow safe working methods and use appropriate PPE.
• Report any processes or personnel that contravene safety, health, environmental, or quality standards.

13. GENERAL

• Safety and cleanliness are essential due to potential hazards across sites.