Planning Manager

Responsibilities

• Demand & Supply Planning:
  Lead the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process to align demand forecasts, supply plans, and inventory strategies. Collaborate with Commercial teams to gather market insights and develop accurate demand forecasts. Develop supply plans that optimize service levels, working capital, and cost efficiency. Monitor forecast accuracy and bias, historical information, seasonality, and drive improvements in planning performance with supplementary commercial intelligence and market expectations from business unit leaders and commercial teams.
  
  Manage supply risks and coordinate mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply.
• Inventory Management & Supply Operation Optimization:
  Optimize stock levels without overstocking and stockouts. Identify SKU classification and characteristics. Define inventory strategies to balance product availability for MTS and MTO, working capital, and manage service levels including safety stock. Monitor inventory KPIs such as inventory turns, coverage, aging stock, and write-offs. Work with Commercial and Finance teams to manage slow-moving and obsolete inventory. Raise warehouse storage / tank capacity constraints.
  
  Implement initiatives to reduce excess stock and prevent supply shortages.
• Systems, Data & Process Management:
  Oversee planning systems including ERP platforms such as SAP and Power BI. Ensure accuracy and governance of material master data and planning parameters. Support implementation and enhancement of planning tools. Drive digitalization and process improvements in planning workflows.
• Stakeholder &
  
  Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner with Commercial, Customer Service, Finance, and Operations teams to align planning and supply chain strategies. Work with regional supply chain planning programs and local teams to share best practices and standardize processes. Provide supply chain insights to support business planning and decision-making.
• Leadership & Team Management:
  Lead and develop planning teams to achieve operational and strategic goals. Establish clear KPIs and performance metrics for the team. Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Logistics, or related discipline.
• Typically 10 - 12 years of experience in demand supply planning, or supply chain management and procurement, preferably within chemical distribution or similar industries.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiation, demand planning, and inventory optimization.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and planning Power BI tools.
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Brenntag TA Team Brenntag is the leading global distributor of chemicals and ingredients, committed to connecting customers and suppliers within networks. We add value for our customers and partners every step of the way: through our product knowledge, innovation, and sustainable solutions, combined with our passion for service excellence and commitment to safety. Headquartered in Essen, Germany, and with more than 17,500 experts at about 600 locations in 72 countries, our two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, offer a full range of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients.

Therefore, our clients and partners can count on us for global reach combined with local agility and execution. As an employer, we embrace diversity and foster a sense of community and collaboration in an environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas and work together. We engage our employees in the company’s mission for collective success, by building long-term stability and safety through trust and clarity across the organization.

We believe in empowering our employees to reach their full potential and shape the future. For more information, please visit