Senior Planner

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Planner (Contract) based in the United States.

As a Senior Planner, you will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing an integrated Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process within a rapidly growing direct-to-consumer business. You will take ownership of demand forecasting, supply planning, purchasing coordination, and inventory management to ensure products are available when customers need them. Working across a network of co-manufacturers and facilities, you will translate sales projections into actionable production and procurement plans.

Collaborating closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Purchasing, Logistics, R&D, and Quality teams, you will establish a single, reliable forecast that supports business-wide decisions. You will also build reporting processes to monitor forecast accuracy, inventory performance, and potential supply risks. This remote contract opportunity offers significant autonomy and the chance to build and improve critical planning processes during an exciting period of business growth.

• End-to-End S&OP Management:
  Own and lead the monthly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, integrating demand forecasts with supply capacity and facilitating cross-functional meetings to establish a single, aligned business forecast.
• Demand Forecasting:
  Develop, maintain, and continuously improve demand forecasts at SKU and sales-channel levels, incorporating promotional activities, subscription trends, historical performance, and new product launches.
• Supply and Purchasing Planning:
  Translate demand forecasts into actionable supply and purchasing plans across the co-manufacturing network, accounting for production capacity, manufacturing lead times, and operational constraints. Identify potential supply shortages before they affect product availability.
• Inventory Management and Optimization:
  Establish and manage inventory targets and stock levels, balancing customer service requirements with working capital efficiency. Monitor inventory turns and ensure appropriate stock availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Performance Reporting and Analytics:
  Develop and maintain reporting tools that provide clear visibility into forecast accuracy, inventory health, fill rates, supply constraints, and potential operational risks. Ensure key performance indicators are tracked and communicated consistently.
• Procurement and Logistics Coordination:
  Partner with Purchasing and Logistics teams to translate supply plans into purchase orders, production requirements, and inbound delivery schedules, ensuring products arrive according to operational timelines.
• Stockout Prevention and
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Proactively identify and communicate out-of-stock (OOS) risks, working with Marketing, Fulfillment, and Customer Care teams to implement mitigation strategies and minimize customer disruption.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with Finance to assess inventory and cash flow implications, Marketing to incorporate demand drivers, and R&D and Quality teams to support new product launches, recipe transitions, and co-manufacturing changes.
• Process Development and Continuous Improvement:
  Establish structured planning workflows, documentation, and accountability measures to strengthen the S&OP process and support business growth. Identify root causes of planning issues and implement sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes.
• Milestone and Performance Delivery:
  Achieve the established 30/60/90-day objectives and performance scorecard, ensuring timely implementation of planning processes and measurable improvements in operational performance.

• At least 5 years of professional experience in demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, or Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Previous experience in the food, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), or direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscription industry is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building, implementing, or independently managing an S&OP process, rather than simply participating in an established planning structure.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills, with the ability to independently develop forecasts, analyze complex datasets, and build reliable planning models.
• Experience managing demand and supply planning across multiple facilities or a co-manufacturing network,…