Ecolab Services is seeking an Associate Planning Manager to join our Global Business Solutions (GBS) organization in Buenos Aires. This is a highly cross-functional position connecting procurement, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, finished good planning, and additional stakeholders/resources. In this role, you will be accountable for developing and leading the execution of raw material plans to resolve material supply gaps, ensuring customer requirements are met while balancing service, inventory, and cost objectives.
You will act as a key liaison between production and both internal and external stakeholders, manage performance against key organizational KPIs, and apply project management skills to participate in and/or lead significant continuous improvement initiatives with measurable business impact. Additionally, you will provide onsite leadership support for other planners located in BA.
What’s in it For You:
- Opportunity for a long-term career path that allows for exposure into all areas of Ecolab’s supply chain
- Access to best-in-class resources, tools, and technology
- Thrive in a company that values sustainability, drives a safety-focused culture, and has been recognized as one of the most ethical companies in the world
What You Will Do:
- Effectively communicate and collaborate with procurement, suppliers, internal plant personnel, central planning, supply chain management, and others. Own the communication, coordination, and solution when our network is facing supply issues/shortages, escalating and leading hypercare discussions when appropriate. Must show ability to recognize future stock-out dates, inventory needs, and future requirements, then clearly show the path to resolution.
- Directly manage a small team of raw material supply planners. Support recruiting, onboarding, talent planning, and training for both direct and indirect reports. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and motivational team environment. Drive local team engagement initiatives and resolution of onsite technical and operational issues.
- Understand and resolve areas of risk in the material planning processes that could disrupt the greater supply chain.
- Coach the network materials team to drive continuous improvement of the material planning processes. Identify and implement best practices to improve results for our Key Performance Indicators as part of the OGSM management process.
- Collaborate with procurement and material planners on supplier transitions & improvement opportunities.
- Identify and implement best practices to improve results for assigned metrics. Lead complex, high-impact, cross-functional supply chain projects that impact safety, quality, service, and cost.
- Manage inventory and achieve required inventory levels across network stocking locations to meet customer service levels. Address inventory imbalances and implement corrective actions.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or related field of study
- 6+ years of work experience in supply chain planning, manufacturing, logistics, or related discipline
- 1+ years experience leading others and effectively resolving conflicts
- High level of proficiency with ERPs and MS Office (primarily Excel)
- Demonstrated ability to implement communication strategies that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
- Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills to drive decisions and build consensus among stakeholders
- Ability to successfully navigate through ambiguous and complex situations
- Fluent in English
- Visa to travel to the US, ability to work typical Eastern Standard Time business hours
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced technical or business degree, MBA preferred
- SAP Experience highly desirable
- Experience in operational excellence and project management such as TPM, Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement, Green Belt, etc.
- APICS Certification
