Sr. Manager - Order Planning Management #2352

Overview The Senior Director, Vendor Order Operations and Management is responsible for leading end-to-end vendor order management, supply-side operations, and forecasting across the North America supply chain. This role drives efficient product flow from vendor to customer by aligning order planning, vendor performance, and inventory strategies to business priorities. As a key cross‑functional leader, this individual partners across Merchandising, Finance, Technology, and Fulfillment and represents the function at the executive level. Responsibilities Leadership & Team Management Build and lead a high-performing team across order planning, forecasting, vendor management, and supply operations Set clear goals, drive accountability, and develop team capabilities Partner with senior leadership to attract, retain, and grow top talent Represent the function in cross-functional and executive-level initiatives Vendor Order Management & Relations Own the end-to-end vendor order lifecycle from PO creation through receipt and inventory availability Establish and enforce vendor compliance standards, SLAs, and performance expectations Lead vendor relationships and act as the escalation point for supply disruptions and constraints Drive vendor performance through scorecards and ongoing reviews Supply Operations, Inventory Planning & Forecasting Align purchase order volumes with demand forecasts, open-to-buy targets, and inventory objectives Identify and resolve supply chain bottlenecks, lead time variability, and inventory imbalances Define and monitor KPIs (in-stock rate, inventory turns, weeks of supply, fill rate) Forecast receipts and manage prioritization within budget and capacity constraints Optimize product flow through distribution centers Project Management & Strategic Initiatives Lead large-scale supply chain initiatives, including system implementations and process improvements Establish project management standards to ensure on-time, in-scope delivery Drive continuous improvement through data, technology, and process optimization Cross-Functional Partnership & Executive Reporting Serve as the primary liaison to Merchandising, Finance, Fulfillment, and Technology leadership Deliver executive-level reporting on supply chain performance and key initiatives Contribute to long‑range planning and overall supply chain strategy Qualifications 10+ years of experience in supply chain, inventory planning, or vendor order management 4+ years in a senior leadership role managing teams and complex operations Deep expertise in inventory planning, vendor management, and supply chain execution within retail or consumer goods Proven ability to lead teams and influence senior cross-functional stakeholders Strong analytical and strategic mindset with a focus on continuous improvement Excellent communication skills and executive presence Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Supply Chain, or related field) Ability to travel up to ~15% #J-18808-Ljbffr Gilder Search Group