Director of Supply Chain

Position Profile Cérélia's newly established Frozen Breakfast Business Unit is driving an ambitious growth strategy, backed by two manufacturing facilities: US Waffle in Liberty, SC, and US Waffle in Hazelwood, MO. To effectively support the rapid scaling of operations at our state-of-the-art Hazelwood facility, Cérélia is seeking a dynamic and skilled Director of Supply Chain to join our team in Hazelwood, MO. The Director of Supply Chain is responsible for building and leading the end-to-end supply chain function for the Hazelwood manufacturing site. This role provides leadership across demand planning, supply planning, procurement, inventory management, logistics and customer service, while serving as a key partner to Operations, Commercial and Finance teams. The Director will establish scalable processes, develop organizational capabilities and implement best practices to support customer service, profitability, working capital optimization and future business growth. The role collaborates closely with the Liberty operation to ensure alignment across the network. This strategic position will report directly to the VP of Operations of US Waffle Hazelwood. Primary Responsibilities 1. Build andLeadthe Hazelwood Supply Chain Function Assess the current supplychainorganization, capabilities,processesand gaps, thenestablisha clear operating model for the Hazelwood site. Build, lead, coach and develop the supply chain team, including planning, procurement, customer service,logisticsand inventory-related responsibilities as applicable. Define roles, routines, escalation paths, accountabilitystandardsand performance expectations for the function. Create a culture of ownership, service, urgency,collaborationand continuous improvement. 2. Lead Demand Planning, S&OP and Forecast Alignment Own the weekly and monthly demand planning process in partnership with Sales, Operations and Finance. Lead the site S&OP process and ensure alignment between commercial demand, production capabilities, capacity constraints, inventorystrategyand financialobjectives. Improve forecast quality, planningdisciplineand cross-functional decision making. Identifydemand changes,risksand opportunities early and coordinateappropriate businessresponses. 3. Own Supply Planning, Capacity and Production Planning Interface Develop long-term supply and capacity plans,identifyingfuture constraints, capital requirements, warehouse needs and labor or operational implications. Ensure material availability, production capacityalignmentand inventory optimization to support customer demand. Work closely with Operations on production planning and scheduling to balance service, labor, inventory, equipmentcapacityand operating constraints. Partner with Liberty and other sites when cross-site planning, capacitybalancingor customer prioritization isrequired. 4. Manage Inventory, WorkingCapitaland Master Data Develop andmaintaininventory policies, safety stock strategies, replenishmentparametersand inventory governance routines. Improve inventory visibility, accuracy, agingcontroland working capital performance. Own planning processes within Plex, including master data accuracy, planning parameters, item setup, inventoryvisibilityand systemutilization. Establish disciplined review cycles for inventory risk, obsolete or slow-moving stock, serviceexposureand replenishment effectiveness. 5. Lead Procurement, Supplier Performance and Supply Risk Management Lead strategic sourcing activities, supplier negotiations, contractmanagementand cost reduction initiativeswhereassigned to the site supply chain function. Ensure security of supply, competitivepricingand supplier accountability. Manage supplier performance using metrics such as fill rate, on-time delivery, quality,responsivenessand service reliability. Identify,communicateand mitigate supply chain risks related to materials, capacity, suppliers, transportation,inventoryand demand volatility. 6. Own Customer Fulfillment and Service Performance Oversee customer order management and fulfillment processes to ensure service level targets and OTIF performance are achieved. Serve as a key supplychaincontact for customer service questions, supply constraints, recoveryplansand business reviews as needed. Strengthen customer communication during supply risks,allocationdecisions, serviceissuesand corrective actions. Partner with Sales, Operations and Customer Service to protect customer satisfaction whilemaintainingoperational and financial discipline. 7. Manage Logistics, Warehousing and Network Execution Work with warehouse operations, transportationprovidersand third-partylogisticspartners to ensure reliable execution across the network. Optimizefreight, warehousing, storage,handlingand distribution costs whilemaintainingservice expectations. Identifyopportunities to improve transportation planning, load optimization, inventorydeploymentand warehouse capacityutilization. Coordinate with internal and external partners to resolve service interruptions and improve execution speed. 8. Establish KPIs, Governance and Continuous Improvement Establish and report key supply chain KPIs, including forecast accuracy, service level, OTIF, inventory turns, inventory accuracy, supplier performance,logisticscostsand working capital performance. Develop clear operating routines,dashboardsand escalation mechanisms to supporttimelydecisions. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning, inventory management,logistics, customerserviceand supply chain processes. Use data and root cause analysis to improve service, reduce cost, increasestabilityand support profitable growth. Core Competencies Drive High Performance: Establishes clear accountability for outcomes. Demonstrates focus and discipline in planning and execution. Acts with speed, agility, and a strong sense of urgency. Collaborate: Builds and maintains strong relationships, communicates openly, and ensures alignment across functions. Supports and executes decisions once made. Can-do attitude: Demonstrates a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, with resilience and ownership in addressing challenges. Innovate: Challenges the status quo by identifying opportunities for improvement and encouraging creativity and continuous learning. Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Maintains high standards of precision and quality, ensuring reliable execution and compliance. Build Capability: Develops strong teams through coaching, mentoring, and setting clear expectations, driving both individual and organizational growth. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field. 10-15+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience across planning, procurement, logistics, customer service, and supply chain operations. Strong expertise in transportation optimization, S&OP/Integrated Business Planning, supplier management, and strategic sourcing. Proven experience managing supply chain budgets, working capital, inventory, and logistics spending. Demonstrated success leading and developing supply chain teams while driving cross-functional collaboration. Experience with ERP systems; ERP implementation experience is preferred. Food manufacturing or food industry experience is preferred. Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Excellent relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities. Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and a sense of urgency. Direct Reports Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Warehouse Other duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a Full Time Exempt 40 hour per week position, and it may require working additional hours depending on the needs of the business. TRAVEL This position may require minimal travel. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Waffle Company