Lead - Strategic Inventory Distribution

Overview

Sonny's Enterprises is the world's largest manufacturer of conveyorized car wash equipment, parts, and supplies. We are the industry leader, recognized and awarded by the International Car Wash Association for innovating new technologies to advance the industry with products proudly designed and built in the USA. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what's next. We embrace change and the opportunity it produces to maximize the potential of our most valuable resource - our PEOPLE! We invite you to explore our opportunities and grow your career with us.

The Lead - Strategic Inventory Distribution is responsible for leading the design, development, and execution of enterprise-wide inventory strategies across a complex, multi-site supply chain network. This role is accountable for optimizing inventory investment while simultaneously delivering a world-class order fill rate and service performance. This position supports a network consisting of manufacturing facilities and distribution centers and is responsible for ensuring optimal inventory placement, flow, and replenishment strategies across all organization distribution centers.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement multi-echelon inventory strategies across Sonnys distribution network collaborating with mfg. and purchasing organizations to continuously optimize our materials footprints.
• Establish inventory segmentation frameworks (ABC/XYZ) to guide stocking policies and service level targets.
• Define and manage safety stock, reorder points, and replenishment strategies considering demand and lead time variability.
• Continuously monitor and optimize inventory levels to improve fill rate, reduce backorders, and minimize excess and obsolete inventory.
• Balance trade-offs between service level, working capital, and operational constraints.
• Develop and deploy advanced analytical models to assess demand variability, forecast accuracy, and supply risk.
• Translate large datasets into actionable insights that drive planning decisions and business improvements.
• Guide the deployment and adoption of KPI dashboards and reporting tools using Power BI, SAP analytics, and Excel.
• Track and improve KPIs including fill rate, OTIF, forecast accuracy, inventory turns, and days on hand.
• Apply predictive and prescriptive analytics to optimize decision-making.
• Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for SAP planning and inventory processes.
• Optimize MRP parameters, planning logic, and system configuration to improve output quality.
• Collaborate with Sonnys master data team to implement and material governance best practices including lead times, safety stock, lot sizes, and BOM accuracy.
• Identify system gaps and drive ERP improvements that enhance planning effectiveness.
• Support transformation initiatives including system upgrades or migrations.
• Play a leadership role in the S&OP/IBP process ensuring alignment across functions.
• Translate demand forecasts into feasible supply and inventory strategies.
• Partner with Finance to align inventory strategies with working capital objectives.
• Ensure planning outputs support business growth and operational constraints.
• Align production plans across multiple manufacturing sites to support inventory and service goals.
• Optimize network flows between manufacturing plants and distribution centers.
• Balance plant capacity, production schedules, and inventory positioning.
• Identify and mitigate bottlenecks in supply and distribution.
• Mentor and collaborate with a team of supply chain planners including offshore resources.
• Establish clear KPIs, workflows, and governance structures for distributed teams.
• Drive consistency and standardization across planning processes globally.
• Provide coaching and training to enhance analytical and system capabilities.
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative team culture.
• Lead initiatives to reduce working capital and improve service levels.
• Identify root causes of inventory imbalances and service issues and implement corrective actions.
• Quantify financial impact of improvements and report to leadership.
• Drive adoption of best practices in inventory management and lean principles.
• Partner with operations, procurement, finance, sales, and customer service teams to align priorities.
• Influence business decisions using data-driven insights.
• Act as a trusted advisor on inventory and supply chain strategy.
• Communicate complex concepts effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or related field required.
• 7-10+ years of experience in inventory planning, supply planning, or supply chain strategy.
• Experience managing complex, multi-site supply chain environments.
• Proven track record of improving service levels and reducing inventory investment.
• Experience leading offshore or remote planning teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Deep expertise in SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, and/or SAP Business One.
• Strong knowledge of MRP planning and system optimization.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with Power BI or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain analytics.

We offer 100% employer paid medical plan. Other optional benefit programs are available to our employees and their families which include: 401(k) match, additional medical plans, dental, vision, flex spending account, short-term and long-term disability & life insurance coverage.