EMEA Senior Supply Planner

About the Role

 

As a Senior Regional Supply Planner, you will play a critical role in leading supply planning and inventory management activities across the EMEA region. Working within our Integrated Business Planning (IBP/S&OP) framework, you will balance demand, supply, inventory, and production capacity across a complex manufacturing and distribution network.

 

Partnering closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, Customer Service, Commercial, Finance, and Operations teams, you will lead regional supply planning reviews, drive inventory optimization strategies, and support supply chain transformation initiatives that improve customer service, operational performance, and working capital.

This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the EMEA supply chain.

 

What will you do?

 

Regional Planning & S&OP

• Lead the EMEA regional supply planning process as part of the monthly Integrated Business Planning (IBP/S&OP) cycle.
• Develop annual, quarterly, and rolling supply plans aligned with business objectives and demand forecasts.
• Create and maintain Rough-Cut Capacity Plans (RCCP) to optimize manufacturing capacity utilization across the EMEA network.
• Balance production capacity, inventory levels, and sourcing strategies across multiple plants and distribution locations.
• Facilitate monthly Supply Review meetings, identifying supply-demand gaps, risks, opportunities, and scenario planning recommendations.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, Customer Service, Commercial, and Finance teams to improve end-to-end supply chain performance.
• Maintain planning parameters and master data within JDE and related planning systems, ensuring data integrity and governance.

 

Inventory Management

• Develop and implement inventory and replenishment strategies, including safety stock policies, service levels, planning frequencies, and stocking locations.
• Manage regional inventory performance, including inventory turns, Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), excess and obsolete inventory, service levels, and working capital improvement initiatives.
• Monitor Slow-Moving and Obsolete Goods (SMOG) inventory and coordinate mitigation plans with stakeholders.
• Drive initiatives to optimize inventory productivity while maintaining high levels of customer service.
• Support inventory budgeting, target setting, and performance reviews in partnership with Finance and Operations teams.

 

Supply Chain Process Improvement & Project Support

• Support supply chain network optimization projects, including sourcing changes, footprint optimization, and manufacturing transfers.
• Participate in regional and global supply chain transformation initiatives, helping drive planning process standardization and best practices.
• Develop and monitor supply chain KPIs to support continuous improvement and business decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, inventory performance, and operational efficiency across the EMEA network.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Quaker Houghton's Integrated Business Planning capabilities and supply chain excellence programs.

 

What are we looking for?

 

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in supply planning, inventory management, or supply chain planning roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within an S&OP or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework.
• Experience managing inventory optimization and balancing customer service, working capital, and operational requirements.
• Experience collaborating within complex, cross-functional and international organizations.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing environments such as chemicals, lubricants, automotive, metals, FMCG, or similar sectors would be advantageous.
• Experience supporting supply chain transformation, process improvement, or network optimization initiatives is highly desirable.
• Experience with JDE or other ERP planning systems is preferred.

 

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights while maintaining high standards of data quality and process discipline.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence across functions and organizational levels.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and complex business environment.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with Power BI, Python, or other analytical tools is advantageous.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution.
• Demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and a focus on delivering results.

 

Languages

• Professional proficiency in English.
• Additional European languages are beneficial but not required.

 

Location:

• Based in or able to commute to the Uithoorn area, with willingness to travel within the region.

 

What do we offer?

• Hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Health insurance, pension plan, and additional benefits.
• Two paid volunteer days per year to support a cause of your choice.
• "Dress for your day" policy.
• Access to QH University (500+ learning programs) and career development opportunities.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and recognition initiatives, including Women in Manufacturing, Next Gen, and PRIDE employee resource groups, as well as Global Giving and Impact Awards programs.

 

About Us

We are the global leader in industrial process fluids present in 40+ countries continually improving and innovating so the world’s steel, aluminum, automotive, aircraft, machinery and industrial parts manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our chemists, engineers and industry experts partner with our customers to continually improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

 

Our values: Live Safe, Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity, Do Great Things Together, Act with Integrity.

 

Our core values embody who we are as a company, guide our decisions and inspire us. Our commitment to these values, in words and actions, builds a safer, stronger Quaker Houghton. They are the fundamental beliefs that guide our internal conduct and our relationship with the outside world.