JobsMotorola Solutions

Supply Planning Lead

Motorola Solutions · Elgin, IL

Posted Aug 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you had a material shortage that threatened a production schedule. What did you do first, and how did it play out?

real experience expediting under pressure versus rehearsed process talk

You don't have formal authority over the factory management team or global category leaders you're briefing. Tell me about a time you had to get people to change course when you had no positional power over them.

ability to influence without authority, which the posting names explicitly as a requirement

Tell me about a colleague you coached or trained even though it wasn't formally your job to do so.

genuine appetite and track record for informal leadership, since the role has no direct reports

Tell me about the worst inventory or cash target miss you've been part of. What was your role in it, and what changed afterward?

accountability and whether the candidate can honestly analyze failure rather than deflect

Technical

Walk me through how you'd manage a purchase order from placement through customer receipt when a third-party equipment provider is involved. Where do things typically go wrong?

whether the candidate actually understands end-to-end PO lifecycle mechanics, not just the terminology

What ERP systems have you used for purchasing workflows, and how comfortable are you with Oracle Value Chain Applications or ASCP specifically?

actual hands-on system fluency versus generic ERP exposure, since this role runs on Oracle ASCP

Have you used E2Open or a similar supplier collaboration platform? Tell me about a specific problem you solved with it.

whether the tool experience is real and applied, not just listed on a resume

How would you use AI tools or advanced analytics to spot a supplier delivery trend before it becomes a shortage?

whether the candidate has genuine analytical instincts or is just repeating a buzzword from the posting

How do you decide which planning exceptions need your immediate attention versus which ones can wait?

prioritization logic in a high-volume exception environment, a core daily task in this role

Situational

Say a key supplier tells you today that a critical shipment will be two weeks late and factory scheduling needs an answer by tomorrow's Weekly Information Meeting. What do you do between now and that meeting?

how the candidate triages, communicates bad news upward, and buys time without hiding the problem

Describe a situation where demand planning's forecast and what you were seeing from suppliers didn't match up. How did you resolve the conflict?

cross-functional judgment and comfort reconciling competing data sources between demand and supply teams

Walk me through how you'd structure a daily or weekly briefing to factory management on material shortages. What do you include, and what do you leave out?

ability to communicate supply status clearly and concisely to an operational audience under time pressure

If you inherited a supplier relationship that was chronically late but strategically important to keep, how would you approach fixing it over the next quarter?

strategic patience and supplier management skill versus reflexive escalation or replacement

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The full job description

As published by Motorola Solutions.

Company Overview At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We’re a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future. Department Overview We are looking for a Supply Planning Subject Matter Expert to lead our North America Supply Planning / Purchasing team. While this role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities (e.g., performance reviews or hiring decisions), this position offers a great opportunity for individuals looking to begin developing their leadership skills within a professional environment. You will play a pivotal role in guiding day-to-day operations, mentoring team members, and establishing best practices for delivering our Mission-Critical equipment to customers. Job Description Key Responsibilities Operational Excellence: Oversee the end-to-end PO lifecycle, optimize material flow with 3rd party providers, and leverage analytics to resolve planning exceptions. • Execute and optimize planned orders and purchase orders for external suppliers to guarantee seamless material flow. • Partner with 3rd party equipment providers to coordinate direct-to-customer and factory-bound deliveries. • Spearhead expediting activities for material shortages from partner suppliers to align with production schedules. • Own the end-to-end delivery lifecycle, from PO placement to final customer receipt. Strategic Alignment: Partner with demand planning and inventory teams to align supply with trends and meet inventory and cash targets . • Leverage AI tools and advanced analytics to resolve supply planning exceptions and detect trends in supplier delivery and demand changes. • Lead cross-functional projects to optimize inventory and supply plans. Stakeholder Management: Lead cross-functional briefings for factory management and global category leaders to communicate supply status and mitigate risks. • Lead cross-functional alignment meetings to proactively communicate supply status and mitigate risks. • Deliver daily / weekly briefings on material demand, shortages, and status to Factory Scheduling and Management during Weekly Information Meetings. • Proactively communicate updates regarding material status and changes to all relevant stakeholders. ​ Desired Qualifications • Purchasing / Supply Planning Expertise: 5+ years of hands-on purchasing/procurement experience with a deep understanding of supplier management and ERP purchasing workflows . • Informal Leadership Skills: Demonstrated experience or strong desire to coach, train, and guide colleagues. • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without formal authority. ​ Education & Skills: • Bachelors in Supply Chain or other applicable degree • Supplier Collaboration (E2Open or similar) • Oracle Value Chain Applications (ASCP)  • APICS Certified (CPIM/CSCP)  Target Base Salary Range: $75,000  - $120,000 USD Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. #LI-MM4 #LI-HYBRID Basic Requirements • Bachelors Degree • 2 or more years Planning experience • Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required. Employer work permit sponsorship is not available for this position.  Travel Requirements Under 10% Relocation Provided None Position Type Experienced Referral Payment Plan Yes Our U.S. Benefits include: • Incentive Bonus Plans • Medical, Dental, Vision benefits • 401K with Company Match • 10 Paid Holidays • Generous Paid Time Off Packages • Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Paid Parental & Family Leave • and more! EEO Statement Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.  We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you’d like to join our team but feel that you don’t quite meet all of the preferred skills, we’d still love to hear why you think you’d be a great addition to our team. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete this  Reasonable Accommodations Form  so we can assist you.

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