Supply Chain Manager - (Distribution Center) Commerce, CA

Demand Planning

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve demand forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, promotions, and market trends.
• Analyze forecast accuracy and bias; identify drivers behind variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations to align forecasts with commercial plans and business objectives.
• Incorporate promotional activities, new product launches, and customer-specific demand patterns into forecasts.
• Support the development of planning strategies and standard operating procedures to improve forecast consistency and operational efficiency.
• Translate demand forecasts into actionable supply plans that consider production constraints, international transit lead times, and inventory targets.
• Cookordination with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to ensure on-time replenishment of imported products.
• Monitor supply risks such as port congestion, vessel delays, supplier capacity constraints, and geopolitical or regulatory impacts.
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions and demand volatility.
• Align supply plans with warehouse capacity, shelf-life considerations, and food safety requirements.
• Establish and monitor inventory targets (safety stock, cycle stock) to balance service levels, costs, and working capital.
• Track inventory aging, slow-moving and obsolete items; recommend corrective actions (e.g., promotions, disposition).
• Aid in prioritizing inventory and replenishment decisions across product categories to support overall business objectives.
• Track and report key KPIs including forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, fill rate, and days of supply.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations based on data analysis.
• Maintain planning data integrity within ERP and planning systems.
• Prepare and present supply chain performance updates, planning recommendations, and operational insights to leadership teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying operational inefficiencies and recommending process enhancements.
• Partner with internal departments to support alignment between purchasing, sales, warehouse operations, and logistics.
• Aid in training, mentoring, and supporting junior planners or team members as needed.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and contribute to strategic planning discussions related to inventory, forecasting, and operational performance.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and convert insights into action.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, scenario analysis); experience with SQL or BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) preferred.
• Hands-on experience with ERP and planning systems (e.g., SAP, Dynamics 365, JDA, Logility, or similar).
• Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain planning, including demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization.
• Experience managing imported products with long lead times is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with food industry requirements, including shelf life management, lot tracking, and regulatory compliance (FDA, FSMA preferred).
• Strong communication skills with ability to present data-driven insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and external partners.
• Ability to lead discussions, influence decision-making, and support operational execution across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Economics, Statistics, or related field required.
• 3–7 years of experience in supply chain planning, demand planning, or inventory management.
• Experience in food distribution or import-based supply chains strongly preferred.
• Certifications (Preferred): APICS/ASCM (CPIM, CSCP), Lean, Six Sigma, or similar.
• Continuous Improvement: Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is a plus.