Corporate Director of Sales & Operations Planning
Position Summary
The Corporate Director of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) is responsible for leading the organization's integrated business planning process, aligning sales forecasts, demand planning, supply chain operations, inventory management, and financial objectives. This strategic leadership role drives cross-functional collaboration to optimize operational performance, improve forecast accuracy, maximize customer satisfaction, and support profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and continuously improve the company's Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process across all business units.
Develop and execute integrated business planning strategies that align operational capabilities with corporate growth objectives.
Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership regarding demand, supply, inventory, capacity, and business performance.
Drive organizational alignment between Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Product Management, and Customer Service teams.
Oversee demand forecasting processes, ensuring forecast accuracy and alignment with market trends, sales initiatives, and business objectives.
Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to evaluate promotional plans, new product launches, and market opportunities.
Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain leaders to balance customer demand with production capacity and inventory targets.
Identify risks and opportunities within demand and supply plans and develop mitigation strategies.
Establish inventory strategies that support customer service goals while optimizing working capital.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including forecast accuracy, inventory turns, service levels, fill rates, and capacity utilization.
Lead scenario planning and business modeling to support strategic decision-making.
Develop actionable recommendations based on data analysis and operational performance trends.
Partner closely with Finance to align operational plans with revenue, margin, and profitability goals.
Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range strategic planning processes.
Ensure alignment between operational plans and financial commitments.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness and organizational efficiency.
Champion the use of technology, ERP systems, and planning tools to improve visibility, reporting, and decision-making.
Establish standardized planning processes, governance structures, and best practices across the organization.
Lead organizational change management efforts related to planning and operational excellence.
Champion cross-functional leadership and team development.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or related field.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in Sales & Operations Planning, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Operations, or Integrated Business Planning.
5+ years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide planning processes.
Strong understanding of forecasting methodologies, inventory management, supply chain operations, and financial planning.
Experience working with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.
Advanced proficiency in Excel, business intelligence tools, and data analytics.
Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organizational alignment.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, automotive, industrial, or durable goods industries.
APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP, IBF, or equivalent) preferred.
Experience leading Integrated Business Planning (IBP) transformations.
Expertise in demand planning, inventory optimization, and operational strategy.
Core Competencies
Strategic Planning & Execution
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
Forecasting & Demand Planning
Supply Chain Management
Inventory Optimization
Financial Acumen
Data Analytics & Reporting
Cross-Functional Leadership
Process Improvement
Change Management
Executive Communication
Team Development & Coaching
Success Metrics
Forecast Accuracy Improvement
Inventory Optimization
Customer Service Level Achievement
Working Capital Reduction
Revenue and Margin Attainment
S&OP Process Maturity
Cross-Functional Alignment
Operational Efficiency Improvements