APS Inventory Planning Manager, Americas at LyondellBasell · Houston

Come Join an Inclusive Team

As a member of the APS Supply Chain & Asset Management organization, the APS Inventory Planning & Logistics Manager leads the USCAN inventory planning and logistics team and manages the people, processes, and third-party relationships required to deliver reliable, accurate, and cost-effective inventory availability. The role provides day-to-day leadership for inventory planners and logistics operations specialists supporting the United States and Canada and serves as a key interface between regional distribution centers, third-party warehouses, logistics partners, and internal stakeholders.
The manager is accountable for inventory accuracy between SAP and third-party inventory records, execution of inventory and working-capital priorities, service and quality performance at distribution locations, and development of the inventory planning and logistics team. The position combines people leadership with tactical, analytical, and strategic support to maintain customer service while improving cost, control, and operational performance.

A Day in the Life

• Lead, coach, and develop the inventory planning and logistics operations team, including workload balancing, business coverage, goal setting, performance feedback, career development, and new-hire training plans.
• Manage inventory planning activities that support customer shipments, appropriate stock positioning, and reliable product availability across USCAN third-party warehouses, regional distribution centers, and transload locations.
• Act as the primary liaison between RDCs/warehouses and internal stakeholders, including Customer Service, Sales, Commercial, Operations Planning, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Finance, and Business Leadership Teams.
• Oversee inventory reconciliation between SAP inventory reports and third-party inventory reports; investigate and resolve discrepancies to support shipment accuracy and the applicable SOX control.
• Drive inventory and working-capital optimization by balancing service requirements with overstock and shortage risk, supporting FIFO execution, and reducing aged, distressed, stranded, and suboptimal inventory.
• Support forward planning to accommodate customer shipments, working with Operations Planning and Logistics to select appropriate inventory and transportation solutions.
• Lead or facilitate problem resolution and root-cause analysis for inventory, quality, and service incidents, including Wrong Product Shipped, and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Support annual distribution budgeting and lead quarterly cost reviews; provide cost and KPI analysis, identify savings opportunities, validate charges, and promote adherence to budget while maintaining service targets.
• Lead quarterly business reviews with applicable logistics service providers and distribution sites to address operational performance, capacity, quality, service, cost, and continuous-improvement opportunities.
• Ensure inventory planning processes, procedures, training records, and operating practices comply with internal controls and external audit requirements, including annual IATF 16949 audit support.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, work instructions, and team reference materials that improve process consistency, stakeholder satisfaction, and audit readiness.
• Lead change implementation for process, system, automation, master-data, and inventory planning improvements; support adoption and sustainment across the team and stakeholder groups.
• Use SAP, IBP, Power BI, Celonis, Fiori, Microsoft Office, and related reporting tools to analyze performance, prioritize actions, and communicate concise recommendations.
• Prepare and present inventory-planning content for supply reviews, aged-inventory reviews, and cross-functional COP/IP/AS meetings, including warehouse topics, inventory levels, suboptimal shipments, and expedited shipments.
• Promote a positive, accountable culture that prioritizes safety, compliance, integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and development of people.

You Bring This Value

• At least 8 years of experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree preferred. A high school diploma with at least 8 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated leadership experience through people management or leadership of cross-functional projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, delegate, make timely decisions, and develop employees in a fast-paced operating environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with an emphasis on concise and accurate business documentation.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to translate operational and financial data into actions and recommendations.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with inventory management, distribution operations, third-party warehouses, logistics service providers, and inventory reconciliation.
• Ability to analyze large data sets and summarize key outcomes, risks, and recommendations for stakeholders and business leaders.
• Systems thinking and change-management capability, including the ability to view processes end to end and lead sustainable improvements.
• Ability to anticipate internal or external business challenges, address objections, influence decisions, and maintain stakeholder alignment.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities under challenging deadlines, and remain composed in time-sensitive situations.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, SAP, BI/reporting tools, and ERP-enabled supply chain processes; experience with Power BI, IBP, Celonis, or Fiori is a plus.
• Experience supporting budgets, cost analysis, KPI reviews, audit controls, or regulated quality-management systems is preferred.

What We Offer

Great compensation package:

Competitive salary, merit increases + STI %
Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Program
401(k) Plan with Company Match of 6%
Retirement (Pension) Plan
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Vacation and Holidays
Educational Assistance

Competencies