Associate Director - Global Supply Planning

We are seeking an experienced Global Supply Chain Director to lead strategic supply chain planning and operational excellence across a complex international business.

This is a senior leadership position within an integrated global supply chain function, providing strategic direction across global operations, regional business units and executive stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing global supply chain strategies, optimizing inventory, improving customer service levels and delivering sustainable cost efficiencies across an international manufacturing and distribution network.

You will play a pivotal role in driving business transformation, strengthening planning capabilities and developing high-performing global teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Develop and implement global supply chain strategies aligned with overall business objectives and regional requirements.
• Lead the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process, including monthly supply review meetings at operational and executive levels.
• Drive supply chain transformation initiatives focused on working capital, operational efficiency, cost optimization and service performance.
• Partner with manufacturing and operational leadership teams to develop and execute long-term supply chain strategies.
• Oversee long-range capacity and resource planning, ensuring investment decisions support future business requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Lead end-to-end supply planning, driving a proactive approach to availability and minimizing backorders.
• Develop and implement global inventory strategies, utilizing Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization (MEIO) methodologies.
• Drive consistent On Time In Full (OTIF) performance across the global supply chain network.
• Oversee capacity planning, demand alignment, supply constraints and inventory performance.
• Implement supply chain visibility and control tower capabilities to enhance customer service.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of supply challenges, working closely with manufacturing, operations and regional planning teams.

Process Improvement & Systems Transformation

• Champion global supply chain transformation, process standardization and continuous improvement.
• Drive effective utilization and enhancement of ERP, advanced planning and business intelligence systems.
• Improve planning processes, system functionality, reporting capabilities and operational workflows.
• Support global system implementations, including master data governance, validation and integrated testing.
• Establish consistent processes and performance measures to improve internal and external supply chain effectiveness.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop and inspire a large, geographically dispersed supply chain team.
• Establish workforce planning strategies, succession plans and career development pathways.
• Develop training and capability programs to strengthen planning expertise across the organization.
• Drive employee engagement, talent development and performance management.
• Establish a clear team vision and create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with senior leadership across operations, finance, commercial, marketing, sales and product development.
• Balance competing priorities across inventory investment, manufacturing efficiency, financial performance and customer service.
• Lead change management activities associated with strategic supply chain initiatives.
• Ensure effective alignment between global supply planning, regional demand planning and integrated business planning functions.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Finance, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience within supply chain management and/or operations.
• Proven experience leading large, cross-functional teams within a complex organization.
• Strong international experience, ideally within a global manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Extensive experience with enterprise resource planning and supply chain planning systems, such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards or equivalent platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and successfully execute complex supply chain strategies.
• Strong financial management, organizational, planning and implementation capabilities.

Skills & Technical Expertise

• Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end supply chain planning and operations.
• Broad experience across multiple functions within an integrated global supply chain environment.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between demand planning, production planning, inventory management and distribution.
• In-depth knowledge of customer-facing and integrated supply chain business processes.
• Advanced knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and advanced planning tools.
• Experience implementing supply network planning, optimization methodologies and planning software.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to drive business transformation and deliver measurable operational improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Experience within a complex, multinational manufacturing environment.

Salary up to $190,000 + Bonus and Stock, depending on experience