Tasks
About Us
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Atlanta, GA is one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Mercedes-Benz is USA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In our people, you will find tremendous commitment to our corporate values: 'PRIDE = Passion, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence'. Our products and employees reflect this dedication. We are looking for diverse top-notch individuals to join the Mercedes-Benz Team and uphold these hallmarks.
Job Overview
The Critical Parts Specialist is responsible for the resolution of backordered service parts to support corporate sales, market share, and customer service level goals. The Specialist accomplishes this through data analysis, prioritization of issues, escalation across multiple IT systems and communication to field personnel and dealers. The Specialist actively participates in preventative management through the identification and resolution of issues within the supply chain that could result in a customer service level miss. Each year Mercedes-Benz spends millions of dollars on Parts related buybacks. The Specialist works closely with the CAC, Engineering services to reduce overall parts related buybacks. The Specialist will use CAD software as well as technical information systems to locate alternative parts. The Specialist will engage key stakeholders including vendors, Maastricht CAC, Dealer Assistance Center, Customer Assistance Center and Field representatives to effectively manage backordered service parts issues and to provide clear and timely information to Mercedes Benz Dealers and MBUSA key stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Issue Management: Manage the prioritization, escalation, resolution and communication of backordered parts. Develop and maintain relationships with international and domestic vendors and communicate effectively to provide a high level of service to Mercedes Benz dealers and internal customers. Leverage all available resources including Maastricht CAC, MB Dealer Assistance Center, dealer inventory and Parts Distribution Centers in order to drive timely solutions for constrained parts.
Ensures all retail backorders are adequately addressed with supplier orders and reconciled with Dealer Assistance Center and/or Parts Technical. Leverage multiple systems including SAP Paragon, JDA and internal Daimler systems to effectively manage constrained parts.
-- Prioritize backordered issues and escalate to vendors for resolution
- Communicate to management, field and dealers status of issues
- Identify and resolve exceptions with the supply chain (retailer data entry errors, late orders, parts substitutions, etc.)
- Proactively identify potential constrained parts and escalate early to help remedy the issue in a timely manner
- Forecasting: Manages accurate and responsive dealer demand forecasts in the JDA Forecasting system across a NAFTA parts portfolio. Leverage historical demand data while working to identify and react to volume trends that can be verified through market intelligence research.- In depth understanding of forecasting techniques and inputs to make quality improvements to the system forecast
- Evaluate and tune forecast models based on seasonality, level, and trend
- Analyzes forecast exceptions and makes appropriate adjustments to facilitate an efficient replenishment plan
- Drive improvements to Forecast Error through forecast tuning and history cleansing techniques
- Fulfillment: Manages NAFTA inventory supply plans through JDA Fulfillment system taking into consideration vendor lead times and in-transit inventory. Analyzes cost benefit to transportation modes to be utilized in the procurement of inventory, ensuring that inventory levels and logistics costs are optimized while preventing gaps in inventory supply.- Actively manages daily order review and release process to ensure appropriate volumes and frequency of orders; portfolio of $500,000 to $1,000,000 per analyst
- Review JDA Inventory Plan Analysis for quality inventory targets and order flow that supports customer demand
- Identify gaps in the inventory plan and empowered to establish corrective actions to reduce or eliminate the risk of a supply gap
- Inventory Management: Reviews parts availability based on inbound flow, on-hand inventory (which can flex to $250MM to over $400MM on hand), and customer demand to make decisions on priority inventory adjustments that support key supply chain performance indicators: service level, inventory turnover and inventory level.- Analyze and execute KPI improvement strategies while leveraging supply chain activity assets such as transfers, airfreight orders, obsolescence, and Material Master maintenance
- Work with the NAFTA Parts Distribution Centers, Dealer Assistance Center, and Dealerships to resolve issues with parts inventory through the Stock Check and PSL processes
- Order Management: Ensure all customer demands are adequately addressed with supplier orders and reconciled with DAC and/or Parts Technical. - Analyze unexpected order confirmations from suppliers and identify corrective action plans (substituted, backordered, cancelled)
- Identify and resolve inbound exceptions within the supply chain (retailer data entry errors, late orders, pack-size issues)
- Support Constrained Parts Process through proactive identification of at risk items for remediation or escalation to participate in the Constrained Parts recovery process
- Specialty Planning: Develop unique inventory management programs for initiatives and products that require extra consideration because of unique parts characteristics, vendor requirements, or customer expectations.- Participate in a quarterly processes to transition New Model parts into the Analyst's parts portfolio
- Monthly network demand review to adjust stocking strategy for Regional Master and Flat Network parts
- Support strategic sourcing of parts with Domestic suppliers through active review of supplier performance
- Manage customer focused strategies for key planning initiatives: Key & Lock, Tools, Accessories, Remanufactured Parts, Engines/Li-Ion Batteries
- Process Improvement: Continued process improvement utilizing a lean management approach with a customer centric focus. Communicate effectively with process partners and customers in order to gain collective cooperation and buy in for new strategic initiatives.
-- Focuses on the constant development and execution of the Constrained Parts Process - Establishes options on course of actions and provides recommendations.
- KPI Development and Analysis: Develop, create and analyze team and individual Key Performance Indicators to measure process effectiveness and data accuracy.
-- Analyze data and generate reports to provide transparency regarding backordered issues -Recommend solutions and solve problems based on KPI analysis
- Root Cause analysis on specific backordered parts issues to determine appropriate course of action
- Learning and Communication: Subject Matter Expert for all Constrained and Special Procurement Parts Management functions with ability to lead discussion and serve as key point of contact for processes and systems.- Demonstrate solid understanding and utilization of Lean Management and Supply Chain Principals
- Weekly reporting of open issues and status to SCM Business unit and key business partners
- Regular engagement of current and emerging trends in the fields of Lean Management and Supply Chain to expand knowledge base and support continuous improvement activity
- Buyback prevention Management: Manages Parts related buyback topics with data analytics.
-- Buyback prevention Management thru root cause analysis to identify and resolve parts related vehicle buybacks. Own and manages parts related buybacks with key stakeholders (CAC, Engineering services, NAFTA market)
- Streamline process with GM Areas in alignment on potential repurchases with technical solutions, Production facilities, after-market sources, dealer inventory, etc (CAC, Engineering services, NAFTA market)
- Proactive Backorder Management: Manage and own the Proactive Backorder Management process. Through this process, the specialist will identify parts that are at risk of stock out and use system parameters to reduce demand and avoid potential stock outs. - Responsible of portfolio of upwards 450 parts. Perform root cause analysis to identify and resolve issues before reaching backorder/constraint level.
- Work with stakeholders to avoid potential stock outs and escalate where needed
- Process Project Management: - Develop and implement business intelligence tools and solutions to digitalize logistical part processes.
-- Leverage opportunities to make advancement's in the ability to plan, analyze, and report using automation and digitalization.
- Auditing: - Audits critical parts cases to ensure high level of quality and accuracy.
- Develop training guides and process documents to address training gaps and improve overall case quality
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree (accredited school) or equivalent work experience with emphasis in:
Supply Chain Management
Business Administration
Technical Management-Logistics
Transportation Management
Tableau
Data visualization
MS Access
Requires 5-7 years of experience
Knowledge (necessary to perform proficiently in this job)
Automotive-Retail: Proficient Knowledge of retail processes and procedures, with emphasis in, New and Pre-owned sales, accessories service and parts.
Business - General: Proficient Knowledge of fundamental business practices and concepts that impact the success and profitability of the organization.
Finance: General Knowledge and understanding of the implications of key financial indicators and controls and assessing impact of financial information.
Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM): Comprehensive Knowledge of the principles and methodology for a process-orientated, integrated approach to procuring, producing, and delivering products and services to customers.
Parts and Accessories: Comprehensive Knowledge of parts and accessories businesses, marketing strategies and other business practices.
Processing General Knowledge of processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques in order to achieve maximum efficiency.
Purchasing: Proficient Knowledge of acquisition techniques that minimize costs for products or services
Vendor Management: Comprehensive Knowledge of Agency/Vendor management and budget management.
EEO Statement
Mercedes-Benz USA is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that appreciates and leverages the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, physical or other disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
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