Senior Supply Chain Planner

Overview

This position as a Senior Supply Chain Planner focuses on ensuring that the necessary materials are available at the right time worldwide to support efficient production and delivery operations. The role involves leading both pre-season and in-season planning phases, coordinating with suppliers and internal departments, and utilizing data analytics to identify risks and enhance supply outcomes. It is a dynamic position requiring a balance of planning expertise, problem resolution, and stakeholder collaboration to maintain a smooth supply chain process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead pre-season planning for Direct-Sourced materials aligned with the product launch schedule.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive long-term and seasonal supply plans.
• Design and implement material pre-positioning strategies to ensure timely deliveries.
• Review supplier capacity in relation to demand forecasts and coordinate adjustments as necessary.
• Continuously monitor forecast changes to proactively adapt plans.
• Manage in-season activities such as tracking material prepositioning, analyzing purchase order delays, and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Improve Purchase Order Committed Ready Dates (CRD) to enhance supply reliability.
• Compare monthly material consumption against planned commitments to maintain control over resources.
• Oversee management of excess materials at season’s end, including validation, reporting, and initiatives for reuse to minimize scrap.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address risks from demand fluctuations, capacity limitations, and forecast inaccuracies.
• Analyze forecast accuracy versus actual outcomes to detect potential supply risks early.
• Create action plans and maintain transparent communication with all stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement or automation initiatives for supply planning processes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Meet pre-season milestones punctually and accurately.
• Ensure effective execution of material preposition plans supporting on-time delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with Global Planning, Asia Product Supply teams, and suppliers.
• Act as process owner for global material planning workflows and champion ongoing enhancements.
• Work jointly with Global Supply Planning and Material Sourcing to meet key performance indicators like On-Time Performance and Buy Acceptance Rate.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations summarizing demand trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Assess supplier performance regarding execution discipline and responsiveness.
• Support organizational change initiatives and clearly communicate business priorities.

Approach and Work Style

• Collaborate closely with planning, sourcing, and supplier teams to synchronize demand and supply demands.
• Utilize data-driven insights to anticipate risks and inform decisions.
• Translate complex data analyses into straightforward recommendations and actionable plans.
• Stay highly organized while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Maintain transparent communication and foster trust across global stakeholders.
• Take initiative and remain adaptable in response to evolving circumstances.

Required Experience and Expertise

• Professional experience in supply chain management, materials planning, or procurement; experience in apparel or footwear sectors is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of forecasting, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), and supply planning methodologies.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and managing supply chain risks.

Preferred Skills

• Proficient English communication skills; Mandarin language skills are a plus.
• Solid competence in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Tableau or Power BI is favorable.
• Experience using data transformation tools such as Power Query or KNIME is advantageous.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Capability to create assumptions and run scenario analyses.
• Aptitude for converting data into clear insights and narratives.

Work Style and Attributes

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within diverse teams.
• Comfortable managing multiple competing priorities under pressure.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Open to continual change and committed to process improvement.
• Willing to take ownership of decisions and actions as necessary.