Third Party Manufacturing Analyst

About the role

Join our team as a Third Party Manufacturing Analyst in Wayne, New Jersey, and play a key role in supporting the performance and execution of operations across assigned third-party manufacturing sites. This hybrid position works across multiple functions to help deliver safe, reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality outcomes while supporting short- and long-term supply chain performance objectives.

The role is responsible for supporting third-party manufacturing performance, monitoring operational KPIs, coordinating material and production activities, resolving issues with internal and external stakeholders, and driving continuous improvement. Success in this position requires strong vendor management capabilities, a good understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions.

Key responsibilities

• Support or act as the SPA responsible for operations at assigned third-party manufacturing sites, ensuring compliance with HSSE, quality, service, cost, and contractual requirements.
• Monitor third-party performance and trends using RCCP, monthly KPI metrics, PIP, QSI, and other relevant measures; identify deviations, assess root causes, and support corrective action plans.
• Work with assigned third-party sites to maintain quality, manage risks, and align capabilities with Castrol supply chain strategies, ways of working, and operating requirements.
• Support the efficient flow of materials through third-party sites, including inventory management, material purchasing, production planning, and final release of goods to customers.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to support timely resolution of disputes and operational issues involving third-party manufacturers, approved vendors, customers, and logistics providers.
• Maintain effective relationships with third-party sites and coordinate changes related to forecasts, capabilities, supply disruptions, specifications and standards, approved vendors, blanket orders, product launches, and management of change initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and implement best practices across assigned third-party operations.
• Ensure accuracy of relevant systems, including SAP inventory and transactions and Fusion, and maintain alignment with third-party operating systems.
• Lead routine projects, including product launches, vendor start-up, site rationalization, and technical changes.
• Coordinate activities across internal and external Castrol stakeholders to ensure key deliverables are completed on time and to the required level of accuracy and quality.

Experience required

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent manufacturing and operations experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience across supply chain functions, including exposure to supplier or vendor relationship management, materials or production planning, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience with third-party manufacturers or vendor management, with the ability to monitor performance, follow purchase orders, manage KPIs, and support corrective action plans.
• Good end-to-end supply chain knowledge, including raw materials, incoming materials, production scheduling, inventory control, manufacturing processes, logistics, and supplier relationships.
• Strong Excel skills.
• SAP experience is highly preferred; Power BI experience is also important for the role.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct root cause analysis, resolve conflicts, support audits, and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Strong influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions without direct reporting authority.
• Experience in the lubricants industry is preferred; candidates from other manufacturing industries with strong vendor management and supply chain experience may also be considered.

Skills & competencies

• Third-party manufacturing and vendor management.
• Supply chain and production operations knowledge.
• Manufacturing and production management.
• Project management and asset maintenance.
• Safety and quality leadership.
• Continuous improvement and root cause analysis.
• Strong analytical and data management capabilities.
• Cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills.

Location and work schedule

• Location: Wayne, New Jersey.
• Hybrid work model, with a minimum of three days per week in the office.
• Typical working hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

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