Summary:
The Upper Material Specialist is responsible for overseeing the alignment of T2 suppliers’ inventory levels and production timelines with Deckers objectives and address the potential risk. This role ensures T1 suppliers adhere to Deckers’ allocation reports when distributing orders to T2 suppliers, optimizing supply chain efficiency.

Responsibilities:
1. Inventory and production management
61 Monitor and analyze T2 suppliers’ inventory levels, production schedules, and delivery timelines to identify risks (e.g., shortages, delays, overstock).
61 Conduct root-cause analysis for discrepancies between T2 inventory data and production requirements.
61 Collaborate with T2 suppliers to develop corrective actions for inventory/production issues, ensuring alignment with company timelines

2. Allocation Compliance
61 Ensure T1 suppliers strictly follow the company’s allocation reports when assigning orders to T2 suppliers.
61 Review allocation reports for accuracy and compliance with company policies, escalating deviations to leadership.
61 Facilitate communication between T1 and T2 suppliers to resolve allocation conflicts and streamline workflows.
61 Audit T1/T2 processes regularly to verify adherence to allocation guidelines.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration
61 Partner with Procurement, Production Planning, and Logistics teams to align material flow with demand forecasts.
61 Serve as the primary liaison between internal teams and T1/T2 suppliers to address bottlenecks and improve transparency.
61 Support new supplier onboarding by ensuring alignment with allocation and inventory protocols.

4. Continuous Improvement
61 Identify opportunities to enhance supply chain efficiency (e.g., process automation, data accuracy).
61 Stay updated on industry trends and best practices for inventory and supplier management.
61 Lead initiatives to standardize allocation processes and improve T1/T2 collaboration.

5. Reporting and Documentation
61 Generate weekly/monthly reports on T2 inventory status, production progress, and allocation compliance.

Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business Administration, or related field.
2. 5+ years in supply chain management, procurement, or supplier relations, preferably in footwear and Apparel manufacturing sectors.
3. Proven experience managing multi-tier supplier networks (T1/T2).
4. Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), Excel, and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
5. Strong negotiation and communication skills for managing supplier relationships.
6. Detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
7. Knowledge of lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.