Director, Supply Chain Planning & Optimization

AAON, Inc.•Tulsa, OK

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Supply Chain Planning & Optimization leads the organization’s supply chain planning, performance management, analytics, project management, and continuous improvement functions. The role provides strategic direction and governance for planning processes, performance frameworks, inventory optimization, operational excellence initiatives, and supply chain capabilities that support business growth, customer service objectives, and operational efficiency. As the functional leader for supply chain planning and optimization, this director oversees managers and professionals responsible for material planning, supply chain performance, analytics, project execution, and continuous improvement. The role partners with Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing, Finance, Sales, Engineering, and Information Technology leadership to develop scalable processes and improve service, inventory performance, productivity, working capital, and organizational effectiveness. The director aligns strategy with execution, establishes sustainable operating processes, improves end-to-end supply chain performance, and builds capabilities for long-term growth and continuous improvement. The role has authority to establish planning standards and governance, prioritize optimization initiatives, approve planning and performance frameworks, recommend organizational, process, technology, and capability improvements, and escalate risks and resource constraints with recommended corrective actions. The position is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office, with occasional visits to manufacturing plants and warehouses. Visits may involve varying climate conditions, dust, chemical fumes, noise, and forklift traffic; personal protective equipment is used as required. The role is not classified as Safety Sensitive. Benefits for full-time team members include tuition reimbursement, paid time off, paid holidays, healthcare insurance and Health Savings Accounts, profit sharing or an annual incentive plan bonus, and a premium 401(k) plan.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, operations, manufacturing, planning, logistics, procurement, or related disciplines.
5+ years of leadership experience managing managers, professional staff, or multifunctional teams.
Demonstrated success leading planning, operational excellence, performance management, or supply chain transformation initiatives.
Experience developing enterprise processes, KPIs, governance frameworks, and operating standards.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives within complex manufacturing organizations.
A proven track record of measurable improvements in service, inventory performance, operational efficiency, productivity, and working capital.
Experience implementing and using ERP systems, planning tools, analytics platforms, and business intelligence solutions.
Manufacturing industry experience.
Knowledge of end-to-end supply chain planning and execution processes, material planning, inventory optimization, SIOP or Integrated Business Planning, manufacturing operations and performance metrics, continuous improvement, Lean and Six Sigma, data analytics and performance management, ERP and supply chain technologies, change management, and organizational effectiveness.
Strategic thinking and business acumen; leadership of managers and professional teams; executive communication and presentation; cross-functional influence and stakeholder management; advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities; program and project leadership; organizational change leadership; talent development and coaching; and the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution and deliver measurable business results.
Ability to sit for extended periods and regularly use computer systems; visual and auditory acuity for data review and communication; agility to adjust to shifting priorities and production demands; and ability to build effective relationships across internal and external teams and operate effectively in high-pressure environments.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or related discipline).
APICS CPIM, CSCP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent professional certification.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of enterprise supply chain planning and optimization strategies.
Provide leadership and governance for material planning, inventory planning, constrained supply management, and related planning processes.
Serve as the primary supply chain planning interface to the SIOP process, translating demand, capacity, inventory, and supply inputs into executable plans and identifying constraints, scenarios, risks, and decisions for alignment and executive review.
Establish and lead a recurring Clear-To-Build process to validate material availability against production schedules, identify shortages and constraints, assign owners and recovery actions, and escalate issues to protect schedules and customer commitments.
Establish planning standards, policies, and operating procedures that improve material availability, inventory effectiveness, and execution consistency.
Partner with manufacturing and supply chain leaders to balance service, inventory, capacity, and operational performance objectives.
Improve planning processes through standardization, data analysis, and process optimization.
Own supply chain performance frameworks, KPI governance, scorecards, reporting standards, and performance review processes.
Establish metrics and management routines covering service levels, inventory performance, planning effectiveness, material availability, and operational efficiency.
Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action planning for systemic performance issues.
Develop benchmarking and maturity assessment practices to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
Provide performance insights and recommendations to supply chain and executive leadership.
Lead the Supply Chain Continuous Improvement function and establish a culture of operational excellence and disciplined execution.
Sponsor and prioritize improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency, inventory performance, service, waste elimination, and cost optimization.
Support implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies across the supply chain organization.
Partner with operations and business leaders on process simplification, standardization, and capability development.
Ensure continuous improvement initiatives deliver measurable and sustainable business results.
Lead supply chain analytics, reporting, project management, and process improvement initiatives.
Develop and promote the use of dashboards, reporting tools, predictive analytics, and decision-support capabilities.
Support implementation and optimization of ERP, planning, and supply chain technology solutions.
Lead cross-functional supply chain projects that improve organizational effectiveness and business performance.
Use data and emerging technologies to improve decision quality, productivity, and supply chain visibility.
Lead and develop managers, analysts, planners, project leaders, and continuous improvement professionals.
Establish organizational goals, priorities, performance expectations, and development plans.
Build organizational capabilities through coaching, succession planning, talent development, and knowledge sharing.
Foster accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Influence stakeholders across functions and business units to achieve strategic objectives.
Prioritize supply chain optimization initiatives, projects, and improvement investments; approve planning and performance management frameworks used across the organization.
Recommend organizational, process, technology, and capability improvements to senior leadership, and escalate operational risks, performance gaps, and resource constraints with recommended corrective actions.