Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head Planner

💰 $150,000 - $220,000

Supply ChainPlanningManufacturingLeadershipOperations

🎯 Role Definition

As the Head Planner, you will be the strategic architect and leader of our entire planning organization. You will own the end-to-end planning process, from long-range strategic forecasting to daily operational execution. This role requires a dynamic leader who can balance strategic thinking with tactical oversight, build a high-performing team, and collaborate across the executive level to align supply chain capabilities with corporate objectives. You will be instrumental in driving operational efficiency, maximizing service levels, and optimizing working capital through sophisticated demand planning, supply management, and inventory control.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Demand or Supply Chain Manager
  • S&OP Manager
  • Senior Materials or Production Planning Manager

Advancement To:

  • Director of Supply Chain
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Logistics & Distribution
  • Head of Procurement

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Architect, implement, and lead the monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, facilitating executive-level meetings to drive consensus and strategic decision-making between sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-echelon inventory strategy to optimize stock levels for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods, balancing service level targets with working capital goals.
  • Direct the creation of sophisticated demand forecasts by integrating statistical models, market intelligence, sales input, and historical data to consistently improve forecast accuracy and reduce bias.
  • Provide strategic oversight for all supply planning and master scheduling activities, ensuring production plans are aligned with demand signals and that capacity constraints are proactively managed.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performance planning team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the planning function, including Forecast Accuracy, On-Time In-Full (OTIF), Inventory Turns, Days of Supply, and Schedule Adherence.
  • Champion major process and systems improvement initiatives, including the selection, implementation, and optimization of ERP and Advanced Planning Systems (APS) to enhance planning capabilities.
  • Collaborate with Procurement to develop robust material supply strategies, mitigate supplier risks, and ensure material availability aligns with the production schedule.
  • Partner with the Commercial and Product Management teams to manage the end-to-end product lifecycle, from new product introduction (NPI) planning to end-of-life (EOL) inventory ramp-downs.
  • Identify and mitigate potential risks within the supply chain, developing contingency plans for demand volatility, supply disruptions, and capacity shortages.
  • Own the master data governance for planning-related parameters within the ERP system to ensure data integrity and planning accuracy.
  • Drive the translation of the annual operating plan (AOP) and financial budgets into actionable, long-range capacity and inventory plans.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the planning function and executive leadership, effectively communicating performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.
  • Conduct root cause analysis on key metric misses (e.g., service failures, excess inventory) and implement sustainable corrective actions.
  • Oversee the rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP) process to ensure manufacturing and supplier capabilities can support the long-term demand plan.
  • Guide the development of distribution requirements planning (DRP) to optimize the flow of finished goods throughout the distribution network.
  • Manage departmental budget, resource allocation, and talent development to build a world-class planning organization.
  • Foster strong, collaborative relationships with key cross-functional partners including Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Engineering.
  • Lead scenario planning and "what-if" analysis to assess the impact of various business decisions on the supply chain and recommend optimal paths forward.
  • Drive the digital transformation of the planning function by leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, and automation to create a more predictive and resilient supply chain.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover business insights.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and long-term systems roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate evolving data needs into engineering and system requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for technology-related projects impacting the planning function.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP & APS Expertise: Deep proficiency in enterprise ERP systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and expertise with Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) software (e.g., Kinaxis, o9 Solutions, Blue Yonder).
  • Statistical Forecasting: Strong command of statistical modeling and demand forecasting techniques (e.g., ARIMA, Exponential Smoothing) and their practical application in a business context.
  • Data Analysis & Modeling: Advanced skills in data manipulation, modeling, and analysis using tools such as SQL, Python/R, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
  • Data Visualization: Proficiency in creating compelling dashboards and reports using data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI to communicate insights to stakeholders.
  • Supply Chain Principles: Mastery of core supply chain concepts including MRP, DRP, capacity planning, and multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO).
  • Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial statements and the ability to connect planning decisions to financial outcomes like COGS, working capital, and profitability.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, set a strategic vision, and inspire a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Executive Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messages for an executive audience.
  • Influence & Collaboration: A natural ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders without direct authority, and drive cross-functional alignment toward common goals.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: Superior analytical and critical thinking skills, with a talent for navigating ambiguity and making sound, data-driven decisions under pressure.
  • Change Management: Demonstrated success in leading significant process and system changes, effectively managing stakeholder expectations and driving user adoption.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 10-15+ years of progressive experience in supply chain planning, demand management, or S&OP roles.

Preferred: At least 5 years in a significant leadership capacity managing a complex, multi-site planning organization. APICS (ASCM) certifications such as CPIM or CSCP are highly desirable. Proven track record of successfully implementing and maturing a global S&OP process.

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