Supply Chain Planner

At Autocar Parts, we fight for the customers’ needs. We invest in and grow businesses that disrupt their industries by putting the customers’ needs first. From big data to industrial manufacturing, we deliver tools that transform the work of the people that use them. We are privately owned and expect our team members to act with an owner mindset: Relentless about creating value for the customer. Dogged about finding efficiencies and eliminating waste. Standing arm in arm with the rest of the team until the job is done—and ready to do it again the next day, with a smile.
It is not easy to do things differently. But we do it—because we are passionate about improving our business and the lives of the people who use our tools.

Supply Chain Planner

Location: Highland Park IL | Full-Time

At Autocar Parts we're looking for a Supply Chain Planner who thrives on analytics, collaboration, and proactive decision-making to help ensure the right parts are available at the right time to support our customers.

If you're passionate about supply chain planning, inventory management, supplier partnerships, and driving continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As a Supply Chain Planner, you'll manage an assigned supplier base while leading initiatives that strengthen planning processes and enhance supply chain performance. You'll work cross-functionally to ensure product availability, optimize inventory levels, and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Key responsibilities include:

• Plan and execute procurement activities with manufacturers and suppliers
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with domestic and international suppliers
• Monitor production schedules, shipments, and open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery
• Proactively identify and communicate material availability and supply risks
• Analyze and maintain planning data to improve forecasting and replenishment accuracy
• Track purchase order and shipment status within ERP systems
• Lead monthly supplier collaboration meetings
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and special projects
• Manage supply and demand requirements while meeting inventory targets

What Success Looks Like

• Achieving and exceeding purchasing and inventory goals
• Improving supply chain planning effectiveness
• Reducing supply disruptions and material shortages
• Enhancing supplier collaboration and performance
• Supporting operational excellence through data-driven decision making

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Mathematics, Business, or related field
• 2+ years of supply chain planning experience, preferably in a distribution environment
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Self-starter who can work independently and adapt to changing priorities
• Understanding of:

• Demand Planning
• Inventory Planning
• Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP)
• Planning triggers/settings such as safety stock and time-phased requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS certification or equivalent
• Experience with long lead-time procurement and kit planning
• Familiarity with NetSuite and Business Intelligence (BI) tools
• Experience of working with international suppliers

We're looking for someone who will demonstrate:

• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Technical & Analytical Excellence