Director of Planning - Houston, TX

Director of Planning – Houston, TX
Drive strategy where financial insight meets business performance.

Verdant Specialty Solutions is seeking a Director of Planning to lead the Company's enterprise planning and profitability management processes. This highly visible leadership role partners directly with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team to develop the Company's financial outlook, drive strategic decision-making, and improve business performance across the organization.

As the leader of enterprise planning, you'll own Verdant's consolidated profitability forecast, annual operating plan, and long-range strategic planning process while providing executive insight into performance, opportunities, and business risk. You'll work across Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Product Management, Procurement, and Controlling to ensure the organization is aligned around a single view of business performance and positioned to achieve its strategic objectives.

This role is onsite and based in Houston, Texas.

Why This Role Is a Fit for You

• Executive Visibility: Partner directly with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to influence strategic business decisions.
• Enterprise Impact: Own the Company's planning process, profitability forecasting, and executive performance management cadence.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate across Finance, Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, Product Management, Procurement, and executive leadership.
• Strategic Growth: Evaluate investments, partnerships, pricing strategies, and business opportunities that shape Verdant's future.

What You'll Do

• Lead Verdant's enterprise planning process, including monthly forecasting, the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), and long-range strategic planning.
• Own the Company's consolidated profitability forecast across the full profit and loss statement, including revenue, pricing, cost assumptions, contribution margin, EBITDA, working capital, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner with Finance, Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product Management, and Controlling to translate business assumptions into financial forecasts and executive decision support.
• Lead CEO-led business performance reviews, forecast meetings, KPI governance, and executive action tracking.
• Prepare executive-level presentations and reporting for the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and Samyang Group.
• Analyze financial and operational performance to identify profitability drivers, emerging trends, risks, and opportunities while recommending practical business solutions.
• Support strategic initiatives, capital investments, partnerships, toll manufacturing opportunities, and business development activities through financial analysis and business case development.
• Develop and continuously improve planning processes, forecasting methodologies, executive reporting, and business performance metrics.
• Establish and maintain the Company's single source of truth for financial forecasts, profitability reporting, and executive performance metrics.

What Sets You Apart

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex business data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with a deep understanding of enterprise profitability.
• Executive presence and communication skills that build credibility with senior leadership.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with excellent business judgment.
• Passion for continuous improvement, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, business planning, corporate strategy, finance, commercial operations, supply chain planning, or a related business function within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading enterprise planning, Annual Operating Plan development, profitability forecasting, and long-range strategic planning.
• Experience supporting integrated business planning, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), or comparable cross-functional planning processes.
• Demonstrated success preparing executive-level financial analyses and presentations for senior leadership and Boards of Directors.
• Manufacturing, specialty chemicals, industrial, or process manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience in private equity-backed, carve-out, post-merger integration, or turnaround environments is a plus.

About Verdant
Verdant Specialty Solutions is a global specialty chemicals manufacturer combining innovation, agility, and operational excellence. With operations across the United States and Europe, we bring functional chemistry to life, safely, reliably, and responsibly. Our collaborative culture empowers employees to solve complex challenges, drive continuous improvement, and make a meaningful impact on the future of our business.