Customer Service

• Licensed Customs Broker
• Importation & customer service experiencein the FMCG industry
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and drive process improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.

Role purpose

The Customer Supply Chain Lead plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency, consistency, and satisfaction across the supply chain to meet customer needs. You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end customer supply chain experience, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and developing strategies to enhance the customer experience, optimize supply chain processes, and ensure seamless product delivery.

You will play a strategic role within Supply Chain Team, acting as "voice of the customers", instrumental to the achievement of Preferred Supplier of Choice Status.

Role Accountabilities

Customer Engagement & Trade Service Level:

• Leads business planning or tactical calls with customers
• Supply Chain Programs (eg. RTM Change:  Direct Shipments, Joint Events Planning, Supply Chain Academy)
• Customer Calls (eg. Service Level Agreements / Joint Supply Chain Scorecards, Joint Business Planning)
• Customer Replenishment Planning and Supply (eg.  CMI, Joint Forecasting)
• infrastructure and Investment in Supply Chain Capability (TT)
• Benchmarking of best practices within the region or among Customers or in the Trade related to Order to Cash (OTC) process, warehousing, inventory, transport, quality and information systems.

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers regarding supply chain matters, ensuring prompt and effective communication, establishing trust and ensuring proactive communication.
• Develop a deep understanding, build and maintain strong relationships with customers to understand their business and supply chain needs and expectations to increase satisfaction and retention.

Order Fulfillment/ Replenishment Planning and Service Coordination

• Oversee the order-to-delivery process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and fulfillment against customer demands, ensuring they are processed accurately and delivered on time.
• Monitor & report Out of Stock and unserved orders to highlight risk and service failures to manage customer expectations.  Flag low stock covers and relay information to Supply Planning due to sudden demand and surge in stock requirements to prevent stockouts or overstocks.
• Provide inputs to analyze demand forecasts and collaborate with planning and production teams to align supply with demand.
• Coordinate with internal departments (e.g., supply chain, logistics, production) to align on customer needs and resolve any service issues. Align unique customer requirements to 3PL.
• Monitor service levels and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Ensure compliance on NPD and Promo SKU pipeline and trade deals are executed according to plan
• Order to Cash efficiency (eg. review on order size, delivery frequency & pattern)
• Master Data Alignment

Distribution & Warehouse Operation

• Assess potential distributor capability on warehousing & distribution and drive compliance to Fonterra standards
• Develop distributor capability in warehousing, inventory, fleet management & supply chain infrastructure.
• RTM review to meet cost, quality and service requirements.

Customer Financial Risk & Transactions

• Influence setting of trading terms related to BO, delivery penalties to reduce customer's cost to serve
• Review distributor contracts
• Partner with Finance to ensure supply chain programs are aligned to P&L targets including BO guidelines.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

• Facilitate communication between departments and work closely with internal teams such as procurement, production, logistics, to share customer insights and align on ways to improve the customer experience or to resolve any supply chain disruptions or delays impacting customers.
• Partner with internal teams (e.g., marketing, sales) to support customer-facing strategies and initiatives.
• Participate in team meetings and planning sessions to provide the customer perspective and advocate for their needs.

Continuous Process Improvement

• Perform external benchmarking to determine "Best in Class" Operations practices; create custom-fit programs to suit FBP and its customers business needs
• Support wastes reduction initiatives via efficient supply replenishment process of distributor, minimizing RUD, alignment to de-complexity programs (SKU slide-in/slide out)
• Identify, implement, and optimize supply chain processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Develop and lead projects focused on streamlining processes, eliminating bottlenecks, and increasing overall customer satisfaction.
• Use data analysis and metrics to drive continuous improvement in service levels and customer outcomes.

Issue Resolution and Escalation Management

• Proactively identify and manage potential risks within the supply chain, developing contingency plans as needed that may impact the customer experience, working to resolve problems promptly.
• Lead and document resolution efforts for any supply chain disruptions impacting customer orders, working to minimize impact and maintain satisfaction keeping customers informed and aligned throughout.
• Serve as the escalation point for customer concerns, using feedback to enhance internal processes and prevent recurring issues.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Track, analyze and report on key supply chain metrics such as on-time delivery, order accuracy, service quality, and customer feedback.
• Develop dashboards and reports for management to provide insights and recommendations into supply chain performance and customer service levels. based on performance data to drive improvements in customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular reviews with customers to discuss performance, gather feedback, and implement improvements.
• Collaborate on initiatives to streamline processes, enhance efficiencies, and deliver consistent service excellence.

Note: This position is a team lead role reporting to the Customer Service & Logistics Manager

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Customer Service, or a related field.
• A Master's degree is a plus.
• Licensed Customs Broker
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain management, importation, logistics, or a related field, preferably in a customer-focused role in customer service, supply chain, or account management in the FMCG industry.
• Knowledge of supply chain systems, processes, and best practices.
• Proficiency in supply chain management software and tools.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive customer relationships.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Adaptable and resilient, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and drive process improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.