Supply chain planner h1.location_city

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Director is responsible for leading Vanguard Soap's end-to-end supply chain strategy and execution, including strategic sourcing, procurement, production planning, warehousing, inventory management, and customer program coordination. This role ensures that materials, production schedules, and distribution activities align to support operational efficiency, cost management, and on-time customer delivery.

The Supply Chain Director develops and implements integrated supply chain processes that enable scalable growth, operational reliability, and supply continuity. This leader partners closely with Operations, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure supply chain performance supports Vanguard Soap's overall business strategy.

This position leads a cross-functional team responsible for procurement, production planning, inventory control, warehouse operations, and customer program coordination while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the company's supply chain strategy to support operational performance, customer service, and long-term business growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing supply chain organization responsible for procurement, production planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations.
• Establish clear roles, processes, and accountability across the supply chain organization to ensure alignment with manufacturing and customer delivery objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across supply chain and operations teams.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies to ensure reliable supply, competitive pricing, and long-term supplier partnerships.
• Negotiate supplier agreements and manage supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and service levels.
• Identify opportunities to diversify sourcing, mitigate supply risks, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Monitor raw material markets and commodity trends to support proactive sourcing decisions and cost management.

Production Planning & Materials Management

• Oversee production planning and material requirements planning to ensure alignment between customer demand, production capacity, and material availability.
• Ensure the Production Planner / Buyer maintains accurate production schedules, purchase orders, and inventory planning within the ERP system.
• Collaborate with manufacturing leadership to ensure production schedules support operational efficiency and schedule adherence.
• Establish planning processes that balance customer demand, inventory levels, and manufacturing capacity.

Warehousing & Inventory Management

• Direct warehouse operations to ensure efficient material flow, accurate inventory control, and timely support of production and customer shipments.
• Implement inventory management strategies that optimize working capital while maintaining appropriate service levels.
• Establish and monitor inventory performance metrics including inventory turns, stock accuracy, and material availability.

Customer Program Management

• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to ensure supply chain activities support customer program requirements and delivery commitments.
• Oversee coordination of supply chain activities required to support customer programs from order receipt through production and shipment.
• Ensure operational readiness for new product launches and customer program expansions.

Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor key supply chain performance metrics, including supplier performance, schedule adherence, inventory turns, material availability, and procurement cost performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels through process improvements and Lean methodologies.

Systems, Data & Reporting

• Provide leadership and governance for the company's ERP/MRP system to ensure accurate data, effective planning processes, and strong system utilization across the organization.
• Develop reporting frameworks that provide visibility into supply chain performance and support data-driven decision making.
• Ensure supply chain processes are supported by accurate data management, reporting, and operational discipline.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Risk Management

• Partner with Operations, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure supply chain activities support business priorities.
• Identify supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply and operational stability.
• Escalate supply chain risks, material shortages, or operational disruptions and implement contingency plans to protect customer delivery commitments.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• APICS certification such as CPIM or CSCP strongly preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, planning, or materials management within a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing supply chain or operations teams.
• Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems and integrated supply chain processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic sourcing, production planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to negotiate supplier agreements and manage supplier performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience supporting manufacturing environments with complex material supply chains preferred.