Role Purpose

To lead and manage the Purchasing and Planning team within the Supply Chain function, ensuring effective planning and procurement to support Rolling Stock and Infrastructure operations. The role focuses on optimizing the Inventory profile across the network through alignment of Planned and Unplanned Demands to a Supply Strategy that satisfies all maintenance and project requirements.

Key responsibilities include developing strategies to ensure part availability at the Preston PDC and Satellite Depots, minimizing Trams Out of Service due to material shortages. Additionally, the role oversees operational supplier relationships, ensuring suppliers comply with Yarra Trams Supply Chain KPIs through the Supplier Connect program.

Responsibilities and deliverables 

• Managing the Advanced Material Planning Process and Depot Distribution Strategy
• Managing the Purchasing team to deliver approved PO’s to suppliers inline with the Demand Profile
• Managing and facilitating the Supplier Connect Program 
• Leading and managing the BAU in parallel to the Continuous Improvement activities 
• Working with Finance to provide the required monthly reporting required for Audit compliance
• Leading the team to deliver the following metrics as agreed with the Head of Supply Chain:

1. Asset Availability
2. DIFOT
3. Working Capital

Skills

• Proven capabilities in developing innovate purchasing planning strategies that are bespoke to the operating condition task with to drive critical business reforms, with key deliverables and deliver lasting change.
• Astute Supply Chain Management knowledge gained from benchmark operations with experience in Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul organisations, ideally in a rail (Tram/ Train) context. 
• Strong abilities to engage with a variety of stakeholders across the organisation and at all levels, resulting in robust relationships being built.
• Being a respected and trustworthy leader that delivers upon targets and develops a demand planning operating culture that stakeholders believe in.
• Capable of operating within ‘brownfield’ environments that are highly structured and unionised, requiring flawless engagement and issues resolution skills.
• Ability to communicate strategies and progress to senior organisational leaders (CEO, Executive Directors & Directors) that can be trusted through the execution of strategy and resulting in clear deliverables. 
• Resolute ability to prioritise, manage demanding situations and maintain strategic direction all at the same time.

Experience

• Post-graduate studies in Business/ Commerce (major in Supply Chain Management)
• Relevant Supply Chain Management experience, with proven capability in demand planning roles, ideally in a manufacturing / MRO environment.
• 5 Years Experience in leading Purchasing functions and experience across related Supply Chain Management functions (Planning, Inventory, Warehouse & Logistics).
• Experienced in Purchasing activities:
• Process: Management the replenishment process as triggered by part re-order points and/ or project/ activity planning that generates purchase requisitions
• Systems: Utilisation of ERP (Maximo, SAP, JDE-Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Pronto) 
• People: Experienced in managing teams within purchasing function (planning through to expediting)