Distribution Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Distribution Planner

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a growing organization in the consumer products and manufacturing industry to identify an experienced Distribution Planner. This role is ideal for an analytical supply chain professional who enjoys working with inventory, demand and supply data, distribution planning, and cross-functional teams to optimize product flow and customer fulfillment.

The Distribution Planner will be responsible for managing the flow of finished goods from manufacturing and warehouse locations to regional distribution centers across domestic and international markets. This position will balance inventory availability, customer demand, transit times, and distribution requirements to maximize order fulfillment, minimize stockouts and excess inventory, and support efficient freight and distribution operations.

The successful candidate will be highly analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with advanced planning systems and large data sets. This role will collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Logistics, and Warehouse teams to support promotions, product launches, seasonal demand, and overall supply chain performance.

***This is an onsite position in San Diego, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage finished goods inventory distribution across domestic and international distribution centers to balance supply with customer demand and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Develop and maintain distribution plans that maximize order fulfillment, minimize stockouts and excess inventory, and support established service levels.
• Monitor inventory availability across multiple distribution locations to support retail, international, and e-commerce customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, and Supply Planning teams to anticipate demand changes related to promotions, product launches, and seasonal fluctuations.
• Work closely with Logistics and Warehouse teams to ensure timely shipment of finished goods and resolve issues that may impact customer fulfillment.
• Utilize advanced planning and supply chain systems to develop distribution plans, analyze inventory positions, and generate operational reporting.
• Maintain accurate planning inputs and continuously improve planning processes to increase forecast accuracy and distribution effectiveness.
• Analyze supply chain data and key performance indicators, including inventory turnover, fill rates, service levels, and on-time delivery.
• Prepare and present regular reports on distribution performance, inventory status, and supply chain trends to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, optimize inventory, and increase overall distribution efficiency.
• Analyze historical demand trends across customers, SKUs, and distribution locations to provide actionable feedback to demand planning teams.
• Monitor inventory levels and distribution requirements to identify potential supply gaps, excess inventory, and other risks before they impact customer fulfillment.
• Support direct-to-consumer, retail, and international distribution requirements while accounting for the unique needs of each channel.
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve supply and distribution challenges and ensure alignment between demand, supply, inventory, and logistics.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives designed to strengthen planning accuracy, inventory performance, customer service, and overall supply chain effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in distribution planning, demand planning, materials planning, supply chain planning, or data analytics.
• Hands-on experience with advanced planning and supply chain systems such as SAP, Oracle, Logility, OMP, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, or similar platforms.
• Strong experience with SAP and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
• Experience supporting retail, international, and e-commerce fulfillment and distribution processes.
• Understanding of direct-to-consumer distribution and the unique inventory and fulfillment requirements associated with e-commerce.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed business decisions.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing supply chain KPIs, inventory performance, service levels, and fulfillment metrics.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and accountability.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience within the food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, consumer products, or related manufacturing industries preferred.

Compensation: $78,000-$103,000 base salary, depending on experience

If this sounds like the position you have been waiting for, please apply using the online application or the link below - all inquiries are strictly confidential. Our focus is to assist you to make your best next career move, and we will not use your information for any other purpose.

Kalon Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.