Operational Supplier Manager – Cables​ (m/f/d)

Advantest • Böblingen

  • Full-time

Böblingen

Your duties

Material Planning & MRP Execution:

  • Translate supply plans into material requirements using MRP (e.g. Oracle) and planning tools
  • Maintain and continuously improve planning parameters (e.g. lead times, safety stock, MOQ, lot sizes, reorder points)
  • Manage call-offs, releases, and replenishment signals to suppliers and contract manufacturers within agreed planning horizons
  • Validate system outputs and correct exceptions caused by master data issues, forecast anomalies, or BOM/route changes

Supplier & Contract Manufacturer Coordination (External Execution):

  • Align with contract manufacturers or suppliers on build schedules, material readiness, inbound windows, and inventory positions (supplier/CM-managed)
  • Coordinate with suppliers to confirm capacity, lead times, allocation constraints, and delivery commitments
  • Drive adherence to orders / plans and escalate deviations through defined escalation paths
  • Support sourcing strategies by providing data on supply reliability, constraints, etc.

Exception Management, Shortage Resolution & Risk Mitigation:

  • Proactively identify material risks (e.g. shortages, long lead-time exposures, logistics disruption)
  • Lead cross-functional **recovery actions** (substitution, expedite, reschedule, partial shipments)
  • Run scenario checks (“what-if”) to quantify impact on service levels, production, and inventory
  • Maintain a risk dashboard for critical materials and define mitigation plans

Inventory Health, E&O / Obsolescence Control:

  • Monitor inventory levels across internal and external locations (consignment, CM sites)
  • Prevent excess and obsolescence through parameter tuning, controlled phase-in/phase-out management, and coordinated disposition actions

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Planning Governance:

  • Participate in regular planning cadences (e.g., Supply review, shortage meetings, S&OE coordination)
  • Provide clear, timely communication to stakeholders on constraints, risks, and mitigation options

Data Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

  • Maintain high-quality master data (e.g. material master, lead times, vendor data, MRP types, safety stock, BOM accuracy) in collaboration with Master Data/Engineering
  • Report (Excel/Power BI) and track KPIs and highlight root causes of recurring issues
  • Contribute to sustainability objectives by reducing waste, avoiding unnecessary premium freight, and optimizing material usage

Your profile

Qualification requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field
  • Experience in material planning, supply planning, procurement coordination, or inventory management—ideally within outsourced/ external manufacturing environment
  • Strong working knowledge of ERP / MRP (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and planning fundamentals
  • Demonstrated experience managing suppliers/CMs in a global environment (multi-time-zone, multi-location)
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a structured, data-driven approach
  • Familiarity with planning and supply chain concepts: lead times, MOQs, safety stock, forecast consumption, service/inventory trade-offs
  • Exposure to NPI/change control processes and lifecycle planning (phase-in/phase-out)
  • Experience with Power BI (or similar), advanced Excel, and data visualization/reporting.

Skills required:

  • Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving – Intermediate
  • Communication - Advanced
  • Contract Management - Basic
  • Cost Control and Analysis - Intermediate
  • Demand Management - Intermediate
  • Exception leadership - Advanced
  • Inventory Management - Advanced
  • Material Planning - Expert
  • Procurement - Intermediate
  • Risk Management - Intermediate
  • Stakeholder Management - Advanced
  • Supply and Inventory Management – Advanced

What we offer

At Advantest, you enjoy flexibility

Life is often unpredictable, and there are always surprises along the way. So, we offer you a variety of options that allow you to work flexibly, in line with your current situation – to help you respond to unforeseen events or to plan long-term for a new chapter in your life!

Safeguards for whatever life brings.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring. But what we can do is ensure that you are prepared for anything life throws your way. A company pension, (paid) leaves of absence, and a variety of insurance offerings mean you can look to the future with peace of mind.

Working with us is worth it.

At Advantest, you can be sure of an attractive salary that is reviewed on a yearly basis. In addition, we offer you the chance to share in the company’s success, plus a wide range of meaningful financial benefits.

Grow with us.

Learning is a lifelong process. Whether you are a school or university student, a graduate, or an experienced professional – you are always growing. We offer you diverse ways to broaden your horizons and to take your career at Advantest forward.

Stay fit and healthy with us.

We want you to feel well at Advantest. That is why we offer a wide range of fitness and sport opportunities at all our sites – making it easier to be good to yourself.

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What defines us
What defines us

Each and every one of us at Advantest makes an important contribution to our business success and plays a significant role in our further development. Working at Advantest means grasping opportunity and boldly exploring new possibilities. Would you like to know more about jobs at Advantest and about our unique team spirit? Our employees offer you their personal insights into our working environment.

Our pride and joy

Since 2017, we have regularly taken part in a comparison of the best employers in Germany. In 2021, our employees again participated in the anonymous and independent survey. The results confirm: We are a Great Place to Work! We first and foremost owe that great result to the people here at Advantest. Each and every day, they prove their dedication, take ownership, and bring passion to their work. And that makes us very proud.

Our pride and joy
Contacts

Ann-Kathrin Rupp

 

Sounds interesting?

Apply now*