Logistics / Inventory Analyst

Bel, makers of iconic cheese brands including Babybel, The Laughing Cow, and Boursin, is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel's commitment to sustainability and healthier and responsible food for all. Bel Brands USA has been named Chicago's "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" for 10 years in a row. The company is headquartered in Chicago and operates three manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI, Leitchfield, KY, and Brookings, SD.

Job Description Summary

The Logistics / Inventory Analyst is responsible for assisting the controlling and monitoring of warehousing and freight costs for the entire Bel America's supply chain end-to-end.  You will serve as the day-to-day point of contact managing the Third-Party Logistics (3PL) relationship related to management of finished goods.  The Logistics Analyst role is primarily accountable for ensuring SAP ECC Inventory record accuracy at all times, developing and documenting (SOPs) processes and procedures and streamlining value stream mapping to drive waste and cost out of the distribution chain.  This is a hybrid role (2-3 days per week in office) based in our Chicago Loop office. 

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Overseeing all logistics network, routes for finished goods including Inbound from Plants, Co Manufacturers, Co Packers, as well as Warehousing and Outbound to Customers
• Managing the daily 3PL relationship for finished goods, as the day-to-day point of contact
• Assisting in identifying and managing Logistics Performance Improvement and Cost Reduction projects to close process gaps and foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPI) and provide information and analysis needed to maintain or improve customer service levels in terms of cost, delivery, quality, and flexibility.
• Ensuring 3PL Warehouse Management System (WMS) Inventory Record accuracy at all times by managing an effective cycle count program, reconciling any inventory discrepancies, and reporting to leadership on inventory accuracy.
• Executes daily SAP IDOC investigations, correcting, finding root cause, and implementing preventative measures to prevent future occurrences.
• Manage the Expedited freight estimating, sourcing, and approval process; support shipping and receiving operations to ensure seamless execution. Understand the root causes for expedited freight, and work to reduce occurrences.
• Audit monthly warehousing invoices, import/export invoices, and freight expenses. 
• Overseeing and eliminating any Overages, Shortages, and Damages (OS&D) issues
• Recommend, implement, and document inventory control processes encompassing all inventory adjustments, warehouse damages, carrier claims, quality issues, etc.
• Provide support and participate in physical inventory and annual budget processes.
• The jobholder will work with cross-functional teams, Supply Chain, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Finance to resolve service issues, identify opportunities to improve cost, efficiency, and service to customers.
• Participate in or lead special projects as assigned along with communicating project findings/results to logistics team and managers, manufacturing facilities and others as required.
• Onboarding new carriers regarding invoicing procedures and manage carrier claim process to ensure accurate data, along with prompt payments.
• Create, document, and implement an efficient system to audit carrier shipments.
• Assisting with Import operations as needed to support Team members as a backup.

Qualifications and Competencies. 

• A champion for cost reduction, root cause analysis and continuous process improvement.
• Strong inventory management, warehousing and transportation knowledge.
• Strong expertise in SAP Materials Management and Supply Chain modules with a proven track record in SAP IDOC's, cycle counting and inventory reconciliation.
• Knowledge and understanding of EDI systems and flows.
• Knowledge of domestic and international transportation including, modes, pricing, rating, service offerings, industry cost structure and practices, customs and international document requirements.
• Experienced in order processing flow.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• SAP ECC, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office experience
• Power BI experience preferred

Minimum Degree and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Finance, or Business Management preferred.
• Manufacturing, CPG Experience Preferred
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on physical distribution, logistics or supply chain experience.
• Demonstrated experience in cost reduction, and implementation of new processes

Performance Expectations: Quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed; ability to gain the trust and respect of management, coworkers and brokers; maintain the integrity of confidential business and product information; ability to communicate effectively and develop good working relationships with other employees is essential to accomplish goals and objectives of the department.

Working Conditions:  Work is performed largely in a hybrid (2-3 days/week in office) office environment.  Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with at least 40 hours a week.  At times there will be some variation in work hours due to special projects, deadlines and other concerns. Occasional travel will be required. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand's policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Bel Brands is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation or assistance in using the website, please call 312-462-1500.

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