Supply and Deployment Planner

Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, the Analyst, Supply Planning & Deployment is responsible for managing end-to-end finished goods planning across external manufacturing partners while optimizing inventory deployment across the North America distribution network. This role has dual accountability:

• Supply Planning: Managing supply plans and production alignment with up to five external manufacturing partners
• Deployment Planning: Rebalancing inventory across RDCs to ensure optimal product availability, service levels, and cost efficiency

The role ensures the right inventory is produced, positioned, and available at the right time and location to meet customer demand. This position partners closely with contract manufacturers and cross-functional teams to drive data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment at Lifestyle Brands.

This position is responsible for managing supply and deployment planning, ensuring optimal inventory positioning and availability to meet customer demand.

• Supply Planning
• Develop and execute supply plans across assigned external manufacturing partners using SAP and Kinaxis, including PO creation and management of MPS/MRP plans
• Lead weekly production and supply review meetings with external manufacturers to ensure on-time finished goods delivery
• Proactively identify, escalate, and resolve supply risks, including capacity constraints, material shortages, and service risks
• Optimize inventory and case fill performance by balancing service, cost, and capacity trade-offs
• Support Step 3 monthly capacity planning process with volume and supply inputs
• Manage material availability for New Product Launches and supply chain resiliency initiatives
• Collaborate cross-functionally (procurement, logistics, demand planning) to align production and inventory strategies
• Ensure master data accuracy, including item setup, BOMs, sourcing, and material status
• Deployment Planning
• Manage inventory deployment across RDCs and distribution networks using DRP tools to ensure optimal inventory positioning
• Execute stock transfers and balancing strategies to meet service targets while minimizing cost and network constraints
• Oversee distribution planning, including load optimization and vehicle utilization for finished and non-finished goods
• Monitor service levels and key deployment KPIs; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
• Support weekly S&OE and Step 3.5 warehouse/utilization planning processes
• Identify risks related to past due orders, low stock, and future out-of-stock scenarios; take proactive mitigation actions
• Collaborate with supply planning and logistics teams to align deployment decisions with upstream supply constraints
• Shared Responsibilities
• Analyze and communicate key supply chain metrics; drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Conduct ad hoc data analysis to support business decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Develop and leverage analytical tools and models to identify risks and improve network performance
• Maintain strong communication with internal stakeholders and external partners

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Data Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 3 years of supply chain planning experience, preferably in supply planning and/or deployment

• Experience with ERP/APO systems such as SAP and Kinaxis
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other PC-based tools (PowerPoint, Word)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills with ability to clearly present risks, trade-offs, and recommendations

• Experience managing external manufacturing (contract manufacturing) networks
• Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry
• APICS / ASCM certification (CSCP, CPIM)
• Experience with advanced analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, Power Query, VBA)
• Familiarity with data governance and master data management
• Experience supporting S&OP / S&OE / IBP processes
• Strong project management and continuous improvement mindset

Not specified in the job description.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.