Demand planner / procurement specialist

Frankensolar Americas

Frankensolar Americas Inc. ('FSA') is a leader in photovoltaics product distribution, design, engineering, and project management. Presenting bankable products, from world leaders, of the highest reliability has ensured our position as the partner of choice for many leading installers and projects clients, both in Canada and globally. Frankensolar has supplied solar equipment to over 30,000 solar projects in Canada and is currently active in every Province and Territory across the country.

Join Our Team as a Demand Planner / Procurement specialist

Are you experienced, creative and passionate about marketing and eager to contribute to a dynamic team? We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our Purchasing Team by recruiting a Procurement specialist / Demand Planner. This new role is crucial as we aim to enhance our focus on demand planning and inventory management, aligning with our ambitious growth plans.

The Procurement and Demand Planner is responsible for managing the procurement process for materials, equipment, and services required for the company's solar and battery storage projects, as well as forecasting demand and maintaining appropriate inventory levels to meet project timelines. This role ensures that all procurement activities are performed efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with company policies and procedures. The Procurement and Demand Planner will manage vendor relationships, process orders, maintain records, determine if inventory is sufficient to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Vendor Management:
  Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate contracts and ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment. Identify and communicate issues arising from the supply of materials with both vendor and warehouse teams

• Procurement Process:
  Manage the procurement process, including RFQ, RFP, and contract management. Compile and submit RFP and RFQ packages, negotiate competitive pricing, terms (Incoterms) and product fulfillment with vendors, conduct vendor screening, and recommend vendors for selection.

• Order Management:
  Create Purchase Order Requests and Contract review forms, manage approval processes, and ensure that materials, equipment, and supplies are properly ordered and delivered.

• Policy Development:
  Establish and regularly improve procurement policies and standard operational procedures for purchasing, communicate these policies to all employees, and monitor their implementation.

• Reporting:
  Create monthly reports of procurement-related activities and performance of the pool of existing vendors.

• Database Maintenance:
  Maintain procurement database and proposal trackers.

• Liaison:
  Act as a liaison to sales teams, engineers, CSR, warehouse team and suppliers to ensure smooth project operations. Lead and participate in weekly planning and sales meetings

• Forecasting and Demand Planning:
  Monitor market trends and analyze historic and future sales data to forecast demand for solar equipment and materials, ensuring that sufficient quantities are available to meet project timelines. Identify risk in area's related to material shortages. Develop and communicate recovery plans to stakeholders and management. Develop accurate forecasts for material requirements by estimating demand fluctuations.

• Inventory management:
  Monitor inventory levels to ensure optimal inventory levels to prevent stockout or excess inventory. Order additional materials when needed and confirm timely delivery and quality. Working to reduce carrying costs by identifying slow-moving items or overstocked products (movement of good)

• Cycle count & Inventory control:
  Lead cycle counts, physical inventories and reconciling inventories discrepancies

• Replenishment Strategy:
  Contribute to developing and implementing systematic replenishment processes

• Shipping Coordination:
  Work with brokers and shipping companies to arrange the shipment of materials and equipment, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Education:
  Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.

• Experience:
  Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in procurement, supply chain management, preferable in the solar industry.

• Technical Skills:
  Proficiency in Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Project).

• Interpersonal Skills:
  Solid and effective communication skills (oral, written, and visual), ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally.

• Organizational Skills:
  Strong organizational and time management skills, acute awareness and ability to manage deadlines.

• Attention to Detail:
  Accuracy and attention to detail is key to this position.

• Flexibility:
  Ability to work flexible hours (evenings, weekends) if required.

• Language Skills:
  English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience:
  Experience with distribution of electrical and building supply processes, contract management.

• Certifications:
  Supply Chain Management Professional Designation or Certified Supply Chain Management professional

• Additional Skills:
  Advanced math and finance skills, negotiation skills, and knowledge of solar market trends.

• Language Skills:
  Proficiency in Mandarin and / or Cantonese is highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits:

The company offers a competitive salary plus a fully comprehensive benefits program after 6 moths of employment and performance bonus package based on annual objective achievement and company performance. Benefits include a medical/life/disability program, PTO, sick and bereavement days.

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If you're ready to take your Purchasing/demand planner career to the next level, apply today and join our team! Please include a motivational letter with your application, detailing your passion for the role an how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the position.