Director of Category Sourcing/Demand Planning

Position Overview:

The Director of Category Sourcing & Demand Planning is a pivotal role within our organization, overseeing both demand planning and category sourcing functions to optimize our product inventory and supply chain operations. Reporting to the Vice President of Category Sourcing, this position requires exceptional leadership and strategic acumen.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Category Sourcing:

• Develop the sourcing strategy of all suppliers within assigned product categories and work with regional sourcing manager to execute
• Annual total cost reduction goal of at least  2% across product categories annually
• Negotiate and minimize supplier cost increases – Cost avoidance
• Identify and establish new suppliers to improve product margins and support NPD
• Rationalize and consolidate suppliers where possible to maintain supply chain efficiency
• Negotiate supplier agreements
• Provide forecasts for inflation across product categories
• Analyze make vs buy opportunities
• Awareness of all supplier options across the globe for assigned categories
• Market intelligence on competitive source factories
• Meet with the leadership at each supplier at least twice/year to perform a business review
• While other departments are responsible for leading and completing items related to a supplier (NPD schedules/artwork/testing, Quality control/audits and Logistics), this role may be leveraged by other departments to help prioritize those items within the supplier’s own organization and assist in a more timely completion.

Demand Planning:

• Monitor inventory levels of products/service parts
• Review and manage inventory levels to match KPI goals established
• Provide direction and solution to demand planning staff with regards to supply chain and inventory
• Supplier escalation 
• Process development with CI and efficiency goals
• Identify, monitor and report key KPI 
• Lead bi-weekly SOP meetings with key stakeholders
• Report on inventory levels, slow moving, and possible obsolescence 
• Escalating and coordinating supplier and logistical issues to the proper teams to address
• Contribute toward cross-functional efforts to increase efficiency of supply chain, order management and fulfillment.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales Administration and Logistics to link Direct Import customer sales orders to supplier purchase orders and monitor these orders for any issues
• Work cross-functionally with Finance, Sourcing and Distribution on any product receipt or invoicing issues
• Own the demand planning side of the MRP process, updating the process as needed to improve business efficiency, including the implementation of new system MRP programs

Required Skills:

• Proven self-starter with the ability to independently develop and execute supplier strategies while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, understanding value beyond product cost.
• Strong communication and influencing abilities.
• Highly intelligent with a logical problem-solving approach.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, adaptable to evolving business needs.
• Proficient in contract terms/conditions and supply logistics.
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills for managing multiple projects.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Power BI, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated analytical prowess, capable of informed decision-making.

Travel Requirements:

• Position will be based remotely, however there is a travel requirement of up to 35% of the time or as required by the Company.