Vendor Management Inventory Planner

Job Description:

Vendor Management Inventory Planner (VMIP)

Huntsman is seeking a Vendor Management Inventory Planner (VMIP) supporting the Polyurethanes Division located in San Jose. This position will report to the Americas Customer Service Manager.

Job Scope

The Vendor Management Inventory Planner (VMIP) plays a critical role in facilitating the Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) process for key customers and managing CoManufacturing activities with competitors partnering with Huntsman Polyurethanes (HPU). The role involves overseeing order management, logistics coordination, customer communication, and ensuring accuracy in inventory forecast and order processing systems.

In summary, as the Vendor Management Inventory Planner (VMIP), you will:

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI):
• Receive, plan, and enter customer orders into Huntsman SAP system or Web Portal.
• Coordinate bulk and packaged order shipments with logistics coordinators, production facilities, warehouses, and carriers.
• Maintain accurate customer database and SAP Master Data for all relevant information.
• Troubleshoot and resolve customer issues promptly, involving appropriate departments.
• Ensure timely invoicing of customer consumptions and handle return goods authorizations.
• Track and manage rail cars daily to ensure timely release from junctions and customer sites.
• Act as liaison between customers, Commercial team, S&OP, Logistics, Finance, and Quality Assurance.

CoManufacturing (Coman):
• Manage purchase, sale, and swap processes with HPU competitors, ensuring accurate order entry and pricing updates in SAP.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Purchasing for formula-based pricing negotiations and order processing.
• Coordinate with customers on sales forecasts and manage deals for reporting and finance purposes.
• Complete credit reconciliations and ensure accuracy in CPD (Customer Pricing Database) for Coman pricing.

Other Responsibilities:
• Serve as backup for functions within the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) group.
• Lead or contribute to projects related to HSE, S&OP, Logistics, Quality, or Commercial as assigned.

Qualifications

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

The candidate must have an unrestricted right to work for Huntsman in Costa Rica.

Candidates must be willing to work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at our office located in AFZ, Heredia. Additional office days may be required as needed or during corporate visits.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of supply chain/planning experience, with a preference for experience working with systems and data (SAP, Power BI) and the standard Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Skills and knowledge

• Proficiency in SAP Atlas, Lotus Notes, GMIS, HPU Intranet, Webforms, OMP, HSIMS, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Understanding of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), DOT regulations, and environmental standards.
• Knowledge of Huntsman products, markets, production, distribution processes, and organizational policies.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Adaptability to fast-paced environments and willingness to learn and multi-task.
• Ethical business practices and adherence to company policies.
• Ability to analyze and resolve issues promptly, involving relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage customer and internal challenges.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze and resolve non-routine business issues using independent judgment and make complex decisions or situations clear, simple, and understandable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organization and planning, multi-tasking, negotiation, and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with systems and data, including SAP and Power BI.

Additional Locations: