Planning Director jobs in Lowell, MA

Company Description

JDE USA is a fast-growing premium consumer packaged goods company that is a standalone subsidiary of JDE Peet’s, the largest pure-play coffee and tea company globally. JDE Peet’s business is fueled by a supply chain reaching more than 100 countries, unleashing the possibilities of coffee & tea through their strong portfolio of global, regional and local brands. These brands are built upon a rich history and heritage deeply rooted in the diverse coffee & tea cultures in which we work. The JDE Peet’s portfolio supplies coffee and tea to everyone, no matter who they are, where they are, or what their preferences are. JDE USA offers Tea Forté globally and L’OR Coffee in the U.S.

Job Description

JDE USA, headquartered in Maynard, MA, is seeking to fill a Demand and Supply Planning Director role, reporting to the SVP of Operations.  

The Director of Demand and Supply Planning will lead JDE USA’s demand forecasting and supply chain optimization efforts. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the demand planning processes, supply chain dynamics, and inventory management principles. They will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to ensure the efficient flow of products from suppliers to customers while balancing inventory levels and minimizing costs.

The position will build and manage our planning team in a start up, high-growth environment. Our ideal candidate will embrace working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, collaborative and hands-on environment. If you enjoy working at strategic and tactical levels at once and are looking to have an immediate impact, this opportunity might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for! 

Accountabilities: 

• Demand Forecasting: Develop accurate demand forecasts for all products based on historical data, market trends, and input from Sales, Marketing, and Finance teams. Continuously refine forecasting models to improve forecast accuracy and responsiveness to changes in demand. Utilize statistical forecasting and continuous improvement of demand planning tools. Use of AI/Data Analytics to enhance forecasting is highly desirable.
• Customer Focus: Engage with customer replenishment teams to collaboratively refine forecasts and service expectations. Measure customer scorecards and create plans to exceed expectations.
• Supply Planning: Collaborate cross-functionally to develop supply plans that meet forecasted demand while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing lead times. Coordinate with internal production facilities to ensure timely delivery of finished product.
• Inventory Management: Optimize inventory levels across the supply chain to balance service levels, working capital requirements, and cost objectives. Develop inventory policies and strategies to minimize excess and obsolete inventory while ensuring product availability.
• Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): Lead the S&OP process to align demand and supply plans, identify potential gaps or constraints, and develop action plans to address them. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and decision-making to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor the performance of demand and supply planning processes. Analyze data and metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. Develop and implement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, optimize systems, and enhance capabilities within the Demand and Supply Planning function. Identify opportunities for automation, process standardization, and cross-functional collaboration to improve overall performance.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks and disruptions to the supply chain, such as supplier shortages, transportation delays, or geopolitical events. Develop contingency plans and resilience strategies to minimize the impact on operations and customer service.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders globally, including Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Executive Leadership. Communicate effectively across the global organization to ensure alignment on Demand and Supply Planning priorities and objectives.
• People Management: This role must coach, develop, and manage a remote team and maintain a team work culture that encourages the success of it's members

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10 years in CPG operations (manufacturing, customer service, planning, or project management).
• 5 years in demand planning with experience in S&OP (IBP) and planning ERP systems. Experience with global supply planning preferred.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with experience in demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain modeling.
• Oracle NetSuite experience preferred. ERP system use required (JDA, SAP, Manugistics, Logility, etc).
• Experience working for or with big-box retailers (Kohls, Target, Costco), Amazon, and D2C. Prior experience working in replenishment for these customers is also a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Global experience preferred with clear examples of working through cultural differences and barriers in language.
• Strong examples of leading people (including mentorship or senior individual contributor roles). People management preferred but not required.
• Excel super user, experienced with PowerPoint. 

Highly preferred: 

• Experience working with NetSuite ERP. 
• CPG, goods/beverage background.