Global Supply Chain Planning Team Lead

Base pay range: $75,000.00/yr - $95,000.00/yr

Thorlabs is seeking a Global Supply Chain Planning Team Lead to optimize and enhance critical Supply Chain planning and analytics activities across our worldwide network. The role will participate in demand forecasting, inventory planning, and KPI governance to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The position plays a critical role in shaping Thorlabs' global inventory strategy and ensuring operational readiness to support our growing customer base.

Based in Newton, NJ, the role will be assigned projects at any of our worldwide entities and will require occasional travel.

• Oversee all actual demand, forecasting, and inventory planning activities across global regions.
• Consolidate global forecasts, improve forecast accuracy, and align demand plans with operational capacity and business priorities.
• Generate forecasts by analyzing historical data, market trends, and demand signals.
• Collaborate with manufacturing business units to refine demand signals and ensure alignment.
• Set and monitor Min/Max levels, lead times (LT), MOQ, and safety stock for all warehouses (NJ, EU, China, Japan).
• Participate in establishing and maintaining global allocation strategies.
• Define and maintain reorder points (ROP) based on forecasts, lead times, and safety stock.
• Establish EOQ or optimal reorder quantities (ROQ) to balance inventory holding and ordering costs.
• Conduct monthly inventory health reviews and lead inventory reduction programs.
• Assist in creating and maintaining global inventory planning methodologies and replenishment frameworks.
• Track supplier performance metrics including on-time delivery (OTD) and lead time KPIs.
• Maintain item master data including technical specifications and cost pricing.
• Monitor freight trends, carrier performance, and material flow from manufacturing to global warehouse.
• Provide visibility into global planning and distribution performance.
• Support in creating and maintaining global dashboards and standardizing KPIs across regions.
• Track and analyze supply chain performance metrics (inventory turns, OTD, service level, cost‑per‑unit).
• Lead global performance reviews and provide actionable insights to executives and regional teams.
• Ensure high-quality planning data across ERP (D365), forecasting tools, and analytics platforms.
• Maintain global planning system standards and coordinate automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead global rollout of new planning systems, modules, tools, and analytics dashboards.
• Identify and execute network-wide optimization opportunities including inventory strategy, replenishment logic, and capacity planning.
• Collaborate with global team of supply chain planners on improvement projects, ensuring stakeholder alignment, change management, and on-time delivery.
• Responsible for modern planning approaches (AI/ML forecasting, automation, exception-based planning).
• Communicate and collaborate with global team of planners and analysts.

• Sitting role; may stand, walk, or sit for long durations and/or perform repetitive work. Exerts up to 10 lbs. occasionally. Work areas may be noisy.
• Position operates in a distribution center environment where noise levels may be moderate due to equipment, machinery, and daily warehouse activities.

• 7+ years of experience in supply chain planning, inventory optimization, demand planning, and analytics.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, Power BI, ERP (D365), and planning systems.
• Experience working in small teams and on cross-functional projects.
• Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing relationships with third-party logistics providers and other distribution providers.
• Knowledge and experience with automation in warehousing activities.
• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, Operations, or related technical field, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems, Microsoft Dynamics D365 preferred.
• Knowledge of S&OP processes and inventory optimization methodologies.
• Familiarity with digital transformation tools (AI/ML Forecasting, automation platforms).
• Proces…