Supply Chain Specialist (Upstream)

at  Leroy Merlin

PROFILE

The successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and attributes:

• Relevant Supply Chain & logistics qualification
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in retail replenishment
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to plan, multi-task and manage time effectively
• Ability to lead and influence
• Self-confident, hardworking and lives by example
• Team player who is also comfortable with working as an individual
• Being analytical

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The role focuses on managing replenishment, handling import logistics, and ensuring seamless inventory control to meet customer demand. By analysing category performance, identifying supply chain issues, and building strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, the Supply Chain Specialist plays a key role in driving operational efficiency, minimising costs, and ensuring product availability. Additionally, the role ensures compliance with regulations and the accuracy of supply chain data, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the business.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Optimization:
• Optimise the flow of goods or information within the specific circuit or process to improve efficiency and choose the right circuit for a specific supplier.
• Placing Orders (Replenishment):

Ensure timely and accurate placement of orders, procuring products in the correct quantities, maintaining the required quality standards, negotiating the best prices, and ensuring delivery at the optimal time to support sales and minimise holding costs. The role involves collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to match order schedules with business needs and customer demand.

• Imports and Clearing of Goods with Freight Forwarder:

Oversee the import process by coordinating with freight forwarders and customs agents to ensure the efficient clearance of goods. Ensure all necessary import documentation is accurate and complete, comply with international trade regulations, and avoid any delays in the movement of goods across borders. This includes managing duties, taxes, and customs procedures.

• Category Performance Analysis:

Conduct detailed analysis of sales performance, market trends, and category metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Use insights from these analyses to recommend adjustments in the product mix, promotions, and ordering strategies to maximise profitability and market share for each category.

• Inventory Control:Management

Manage and optimise inventory levels to balance supply and demand, ensuring sufficient stock availability while minimising excess inventory. Utilise inventory management systems to monitor stock levels, forecast needs, and ensure efficient stock replenishment to reduce carrying costs and improve cash flow.

• Determining the best flow options from International suppliers in the LMSA network.
• Coordination: Collaborate with Adeo and other BUs to ensure seamless integration and coordination within the designated circuit.
• Building Relationships with Suppliers, Distributors, and Store Teams:

Develop and maintain strong, productive relationships with key suppliers, distributors, and store teams to foster collaboration, ensure smooth operations, and resolve any supply chain issues. This involves regular communication, negotiation of favourable terms, and ongoing performance reviews to ensure that partners meet quality and service expectations.

• Identifying Supply and Inventory Problems / Root Cause Analysis:

Proactively identify and investigate supply chain disruptions, inventory discrepancies, or inefficiencies. Perform root cause analysis to determine the underlying issues, whether related to supplier performance, internal processes, or external factors. Implement corrective actions and long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.

• Efficient Circuit Flow:

Focus on optimizing the flow of goods from International suppliers to the DC and throughout the supply chain circuits. This includes streamlining purchasing constraint(PCB-MOQ-MOP-FRANCO).

• Ensuring Availability of Products:

Ensure that all products are consistently available for sale by monitoring stock levels, coordinating timely replenishment, and working with suppliers to ensure no gaps in the supply chain. This involves closely managing lead times, supplier performance, and demand forecasting to avoid stockouts or overstocking.

• Managing Stock Rotation:

Implement and manage effective stock rotation practices (e.g., First In, First Out - FIFO) to minimize product ageing, waste, or obsolescence. Ensure that products are regularly rotated, particularly for perishable items, to maintain product quality and avoid unnecessary losses.

• Improving Supply Chain Costs:

Continuously seek ways to reduce supply chain costs through process improvements, better supplier terms, and more efficient logistics. Evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to secure cost reductions, optimise transportation methods, and minimise waste or redundancy in the supply chain.

• Ensuring Supply Chain Data Quality:

Maintain high standards of data accuracy across all supply chain operations, from order entry and inventory tracking to forecasting and reporting. Ensure all data is updated in real time and shared with relevant stakeholders, enabling accurate decision-making, performance tracking, and continuous improvement of supply chain processes.