Head of Supply Chain & Planning

POSITION SUMMARY

POSITION SUMMARY The Head of Supply Chain and Planning provides leadership and direction for all aspects of supply chain management and planning at the site. This role oversees demand forecasting, inventory management, logistics, procurement, and financial analysis to ensure reliable product supply, on-time client delivery, and continuous improvement. The position collaborates with Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Finance, and Global Supply Chain teams to optimize operations and achieve strategic objectives.

• Manage medium/long-term demand planning versus capacity for site and, working with Manufacturing and Quality operations to develop action plans to meet global demand requirements.
• Lead communications and reporting between Sales, Marketing, Ecomm, Development, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Finance and Supply Chain for on-time client delivery.
• Populate production calendar based on customer demand, seasonal considerations, and market trends.
• Receive finished goods into inventory system and allocate to markets accordingly.
• Manage inventory and transportation logistics at site to network targets and implement competitive improvements.
• Collaborate with Global Supply Chain team and Sales to optimize logistics and freight.
• Lead activation and training of new US and International distribution center locations.
• Assure production and component purchasing schedules support Inventory, Financial and Sales objectives.
• Direct day-to-day management of receiving, shipping, and inventory.
• Establish and publish relevant metrics that accurately reflect site supply chain results and identify improvement areas. Optimize the generation of metric reporting, utilizing the system to efficiently plan and to optimize planning operations and manufacturing execution.
• Manage continuous improvement for warehouse, supply, and inventory.
• Oversee raw material, packaging, and WIP inventory to maintain adequate supply and optimize lead times.
• Automate and integrate logistics processes to global systems as per site master plan.
• Coordinate with colleagues the planning and scheduling of new product launches.
• Oversee site budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in collaboration with site leadership and corporate finance.
• Monitor and analyze production costs, variances, and financial performance, providing actionable insights to management.
• Ensure financial controls and compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop annual and multi-year financial plans, including unit and revenue forecasts.
• Manage capital expenditure requests, track spending, and support cost-benefit analyses for site projects.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes for manufacturing operations.
• Prepare and present financial reports, KPIs, and analysis to senior management.
• Support inventory valuation, reconciliation, and audit processes.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and margin enhancement.
• Collaborate with Commercial team and Operations to align financial and operational objectives.
• Leads communication and reporting between Marketing, Ecomm, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain. Supports new product launches and market expansion.
• Leads the SKU rationalization process for the site, seeking input from the Commercial team.
• Establishes and publishes metrics and leads process improvement initiatives.
• Uses Lean and Right-First-Time (RFT) concepts to optimize planning and execution.
• Manages, coaches, and develops planning personnel. Leads activation and training of new distribution centers (US and International). Manages both cleaning contractors and cleaning employees at the facility.

Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, Logistics, Global Supply Chain, Regulatory, Development, Ecomm, external vendors/contractors.

Financial Accountability

• Monitor and maintain staffing and consumable spending within established budgets.
• Lead financial planning and analysis for supply chain operations.

Supervision

• Oversight of planning, logistics, and inventory management teams.

• BA/BS in Business Administration, Management or related discipline.
• 10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of equine, small animal or human nutritional products; or the equine industry.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skillset.
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks utilizing a wide degree of creativity and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Previous experience in Supply Chain systems (Manugistics, MAPS, SCIM, RCS, DSS, SAP, Fishbowl).
• Manufacturing Support experience.
• Knowledge of National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), AAFCO, SQF and and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
• Project management skills including the delegation and tracking of key tasks.
• Experience coaching, motivating and developing others.