Director, Supply Chain & Demand Planning

SUMMARY:

Director of Supply Chain and Demand Planning oversees all aspects of product demand, forecasting, and supply chain activities associated with LEDVANCE products in the United States; Manage the supply chain life cycle from the development and implementation of the strategic and tactical plans for the forecasting models through supply chain purchase planning with LEDVANCE China operations in Shenzhen (CORE) for all products sold by the LEDVANCE business segment incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from sales, the market, distributors and other sources. Collaborate with LEDVANCE’s CORE planners to ensure proper supply chain planning that ensures the product is received on-time to fulfill customer demand and reduces stock outs/backorders.

Is responsible for strategic planning and the implementation of systems and processes to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of LEDVANCE’s demand and supply chain department. This position is the key focal point between the commercial (trade), retail and e-Commerce and operations functions. This position must oversee, advise and gain consensus on product launch planning, develop supply replenishment requirements, customer/channel fulfillment, and manage inventory planning. Internal partner stakeholders include sales, finance, CORE, sales operations, supply chain, and business segments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Manage the entire demand/forecasting and supply chain planning process to ensure the quality of the process and accuracy of results.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of demand supply chain and process improvement professionals who are responsible for day-to-day execution and delivering organization goals
• Direct demand and supply chain planning/forecasting and product fulfillment activities associated with base demand, major events, transitions, new product launches, and discontinued products, with special emphasis on product life cycle management and associated phase-in/phase-out requirements.
• Lead the collaboration and relationships with our planning team in Shenzhen, China and recognize and provide solutions for expedited shipping requests
• Achieve forecast accuracy goals in total and by sales channel.
• Develop and streamline departmental KPI’s
• Facilitate monthly reviews of forecast accuracy results and utilize feedback from Sales to adjust forward estimates.
• Lead cross-functional special projects to improve operation efficiency and reduce costs.
• Drive and facilitate the success of the Sales & Operations Planning Process.
• Analyze and design the right mix of transactional and optimization IT solutions/ Process management across the supply chain.
• Accountable for order planning to achieve target inventory turnover while minimizing negative customer impacts due to material shortage or delays.
• Responsible for Inventory Control oversight, ensuring appropriate controls and practices are established to maximize inventory accuracy (quantity and value) to meet customer expectations.
• Responsible for achieving delivery and quality standards on locally sourced, globally supplied materials.
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, preferably SAP, including data analytics within supply chain functions.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with product managers, sales personnel, marketing and others to optimize sell in and sell down inventory levels throughout product life cycles and seize on short term opportunities.
• Lead catalyst for continuous improvement.
• Actively communicate important changes to the supply plan with a wide-range of parties, including Production, Planning, Procurement, Marketing and Project Management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Business or similar. MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in a demand planning/forecasting or similar Supply Chain role within a medium/large corporate environment required.
• Demonstrated global supply chain planning experience
• Must be a strategic thinker, team leader, self-confident and capable of managing organizational dynamics in a positive manner.
• Experience in customer demand planning, supply chain planning, sales & operations planning, marketing/product analysis and/or inventory management.
• Ability to demonstrate experience in market or distribution channel interpretation and product forecasting with strong track record of documented success.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting large sets of data and drawing conclusions in order to make recommendations to internal and/or external customers.
• Demonstrable advanced/expert proficiency in Excel techniques and statistical analysis. Proficient with MS Office as well as most current specialized software products pertaining to marketing analysis, data analysis, and reporting
• Experience applying AI technologies to demand planning and supply chain optimization is a plus.

OTHER:

• Travel approximately 20%, inclusive of domestic and international travel
• Ability to speak, read, write Chinese is a plus
• Working knowledge of lighting is a plus
• Strong working knowledge of SAP
• Ability to participate in meetings outside of business hours
• Preferred location is Wilmington, MA, alternately Versailles, KY
• Position is eligible for LEDVANCE employee referral bonus