Supply Chain Co-op - Spring / Summer semesters

Dual Semester required

Purpose

The Supply Chain Co-op will support a variety of supply chain functions including Customer Care, Production Planning, Transportation, and Logistics. This role provides hands-on experience across the end-to-end supply chain by partnering with customers, operations, planning, manufacturing, logistics, and commercial teams to ensure products are produced, shipped, and delivered efficiently while meeting customer expectations and business objectives.

The co-op will gain exposure to demand planning, production scheduling, inventory management, transportation operations, customer order management, and continuous improvement initiatives while developing a broad understanding of supply chain operations within a manufacturing environment.

Core Responsibilities

Customer & Order Management

• Support customer order management from order receipt through shipment and delivery.
• Assist in managing customer expectations regarding product availability, order status, and delivery schedules.
• Resolve routine order changes, customer requests, and delivery issues while escalating complex situations as needed.
• Maintain accurate customer, product, inventory, labeling, and shipping information within company systems.
• Collaborate with Customer Care to deliver a high level of customer service and customer satisfaction.

Production Planning & Inventory Management

• Review production requirements, inventory levels, and demand signals to support product availability and service goals.
• Assist in analyzing Material Requirements Planning (MRP) recommendations and production capacity constraints.
• Track customer demand, production schedules, and inventory performance.
• Support efforts to optimize inventory levels while minimizing slow-moving, excess, and obsolete stock.
• Learn and support replenishment, planning, forecasting, and production planning processes.

Transportation & Logistics

• Assist in transportation routing decisions by evaluating service and cost alternatives.
• Coordinate with carriers, warehouse operations, shipping teams, and third-party logistics providers to ensure on-time deliveries.
• Monitor shipment status and communicate transportation updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support freight invoice review and transportation exception management.
• Participate in transportation performance reviews and carrier communication activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Customer Care, Production, Scheduling, Raw Material Planning, Logistics, Quality, Transportation, Operations, Sales, and Supply Planning teams.
• Help identify, investigate, and resolve supply chain disruptions and service issues.
• Support projects designed to improve customer service, inventory performance, operational efficiency, and transportation effectiveness.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies where applicable.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.

Learning Opportunities

Through this co-op, students will gain exposure to:

• Customer service and supply chain operations
• Production planning and scheduling
• Inventory management and forecasting
• Transportation and logistics management
• ERP and planning systems (SAP, MRP, etc.)
• Cross-functional business collaboration
• Data analysis and continuous improvement methodologies

Qualifications

Education

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or a related field.
• Completed at least one year of undergraduate coursework.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship, co-op, or relevant work experience is a plus.
• Interest in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, customer service, or operations management.
• Experience in food, flavor, ingredient, consumer products, or manufacturing industries is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functional teams.
• Interest in process improvement and operational excellence.
• Basic understanding of inventory management, production planning, or logistics concepts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP) and data analysis tools is a plus.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, MRP, transportation, or supply chain concepts is preferred.