Principal Supply Chain Specialist

Position Summary

The Principal Supply Chain Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for end-to-end supply chain operations supporting Agilysys' global hardware and hospitality technology business. This position is responsible for procurement, supplier management, demand forecasting, Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP), logistics coordination, inventory optimization, and item master governance.

This role partners closely with Product Management, Finance, Sales Operations, manufacturing partners, distribution partners, and Customer Operations. The Principal Supply Chain Specialist serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader, driving continuous improvement and helping scale supply chain processes to support company growth.

Why This Role Matters

This role helps ensure products are available to meet customer demand while maintaining appropriate inventory levels, controlling costs, and minimizing operational risk. By connecting procurement, forecasting, inventory, logistics, and product-orderability processes, the Principal Supply Chain Specialist supports reliable customer delivery and informed supply-planning decisions.

The position also strengthens the company's ability to scale by improving supply chain visibility, developing supplier relationships, standardizing processes, and identifying opportunities for automation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Strategy and Execution

• Oversee and optimize end-to-end supply chain operations, from procurement through customer delivery.
• Identify and mitigate risks involving inventory shortages, supplier constraints, freight disruptions, and demand variability.
• Develop and implement initiatives that improve operational efficiency, inventory turns, customer service levels, and cost performance.
• Partner with leadership to establish key performance indicators and monitor overall supply chain health.

Procurement and Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate, negotiate with, and manage suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Lead supplier performance reviews focused on quality, cost, delivery, and service metrics.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, warranty provisions, and commercial terms.
• Monitor supplier capacity, product lifecycle changes, and potential supply constraints.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives and the development of alternative suppliers.

Demand Planning and SIOP

• Own forecasting processes and facilitate Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning activities.
• Analyze historical demand, customer trends, sales pipelines, and business requirements to improve forecast accuracy.
• Develop inventory strategies that balance customer demand, working-capital objectives, and service levels.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Finance, and Operations teams on supply-planning decisions.

Inventory and Logistics Management

• Monitor and optimize inventory levels, reorder points, safety stock, and inventory investment.
• Oversee transportation, freight, distribution, and logistics activities to support timely product delivery.
• Manage inventory-replenishment plans across multiple regions and distribution channels.
• Drive inventory accuracy and support cycle-count and reconciliation processes.

Item Master and Product Orderability Management

• Own item-setup governance and product-orderability processes.
• Ensure new products, kits, and hardware configurations are established accurately and on time.
• Maintain current pricing, lead times, supplier information, and product attributes within ERP systems.
• Partner with Product Management and Operations to support product launches, lifecycle management, and end-of-life planning.

Analytics and Continuous Improvement

• Develop dashboards, reports, and performance metrics for inventory, forecasting, supplier performance, and logistics operations.
• Perform root-cause analysis and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Lead initiatives focused on automation, standardization, and operational excellence.
• Support audit readiness and compliance with corporate policies and controls.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Eight or more years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, inventory management, logistics, or demand planning.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Strong experience with demand planning, forecasting, and SIOP processes.
• Experience using ERP systems and supply chain planning tools.
• Advanced analytical and reporting skills.
• Strong understanding of inventory optimization and logistics operations.

Preferred

• Experience in a technology, SaaS, hospitality technology, or hardware-enabled software environment.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, CPSM, or an equivalent certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience supporting global suppliers and distribution networks.
• Experience using NetSuite, Oracle, SAP, or a similar ERP platform.

Required Skills and Competencies

• End-to-end supply chain planning and execution
• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
• Commercial negotiation and supplier performance management
• Demand forecasting and SIOP facilitation
• Inventory optimization and working-capital management
• Logistics, transportation, and distribution coordination
• Item master governance and product-orderability management
• ERP and supply chain planning system proficiency
• Advanced data analysis, dashboard development, and reporting
• Key performance indicator development and monitoring
• Root-cause analysis and risk mitigation
• Process automation, standardization, and continuous improvement
• Cross-functional partnership and stakeholder communication
• Audit readiness and corporate-controls compliance

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and operationally focused
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented
• Proactive in identifying and mitigating risk
• Comfortable influencing decisions across functions
• Collaborative and effective in a cross-functional environment
• Accountable and results-oriented
• Skilled at balancing customer needs, cost, inventory, and operational risk
• Able to manage competing priorities and complex supply chain requirements
• Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence

Agilysys is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with Federal and State EEO laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regards to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.