Senior Manager, Operations Planning & Analytics

Blue Nile • New York, NY

87d • $120,000 - $160,000

About The Position

R2Net - James Allen & Blue Nile is a jewelry company with a technology soul. R2Net Inc. is an innovative technology company that provides e-commerce and supply chain platforms to connect the entire span of the diamond industry's ecosystem, including manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Senior Manager, Operations Planning & Analytics to lead forecasting, inventory planning, and business analytics initiatives. This high-impact role sits at the intersection of operations, finance, and merchandising - acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and orchestrating the evolution of our planning capabilities in an increasingly digital landscape. In this role, you will oversee executive-level planning deliverables, lead a high-performing analytics team, champion digital transformation initiatives, and drive the integration of AI/ML capabilities into our planning processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Research, or Analytics
• MBA or relevant Master's degree preferred
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) strongly preferred
• Additional certifications in data science, project management (PMP), or Lean Six Sigma valued
• 5-8+ years in operations planning, supply chain analytics, demand planning, or related functions
• 2-3 years in leadership roles with direct report management experience
• Proven experience in luxury goods, premium consumer brands, or high-end retail preferred
• Demonstrated success in S&OP process leadership and cross-functional program management
• Track record of digital transformation initiatives and technology implementations

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Excel modeling including VBA, complex formulas, and large dataset manipulation
• Statistical software proficiency: R, Python, or SAS for predictive modeling preferred
• BI/Visualization tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar platforms
• Planning systems: Experience with SAP IBP, Anaplan, o9, JDA/Blue Yonder, or similar
• Database skills: experience with SQL, Snowflake, BigQuery, or similar preferred
• AI/ML understanding: Familiarity with machine learning concepts and applications in planning
• ERP systems: SAP, Oracle, or similar enterprise systems

Responsibilities

• Lead Demand and Inventory Fulfilment Planning within the S&OP process across departments, integrating data driven drivers and business insights into cohesive business strategies
• Develop rolling forecasts (weekly, monthly, quarterly) using advanced statistical methods and AI/ML models to achieve >85% forecast accuracy
• Design scenario planning frameworks for supply chain disruptions, incorporating risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Partner cross-functionally with merchandising, finance, operations, manufacturing, and commercial teams to align business plans with revenue targets and margin goals
• Lead inventory optimization strategies balancing service levels with working capital efficiency across our global distribution network
• Manage seasonal collection planning and limited edition releases unique to luxury markets
• Translate complex data into executive-ready insights, delivering strategic recommendations to C-suite leadership
• Build and maintain real-time dashboards tracking KPIs across sales performance, inventory health, forecast accuracy, and operational metrics
• Implement predictive analytics for demand sensing, customer behavior modeling, and trend identification
• Lead competitive intelligence analysis and market trend monitoring to inform strategic planning
• Develop pricing and promotional effectiveness models in collaboration with commercial teams
• Champion data governance standards and ensure data quality across planning systems
• Drive AI/ML integration into planning processes, serving as orchestrator of human-AI collaborative workflows
• Lead technology selection and implementation projects for planning systems (SAP IBP, Anaplan, o9, JDA/Blue Yonder)
• Partner with IT and Engineering teams to automate reporting and scale data infrastructure (Snowflake, Tableau, Power BI)
• Champion transition from manual Excel-based processes to integrated, cloud-based planning platforms
• Develop and monitor AI model performance, ensuring continuous improvement and value realization
• Build organizational capabilities in digital tools and advanced analytics methodologies
• Serve as primary planning liaison to executive leadership, presenting monthly business reviews and strategic recommendations
• Consolidate inputs from planning, merchandising, finance, and operations into unified strategic narratives
• Facilitate weekly S&OP meetings and monthly integrated business planning sessions
• Manage relationships with key technology vendors and external partners
• Drive change management initiatives supporting digital transformation and process optimization
• Lead and develop a team of 2-3 professionals including demand planners, supply planners, business analysts, and data scientists
• Set clear OKRs, drive execution of high-impact projects, and foster culture of continuous learning
• Develop team capabilities in AI/ML tools, statistical modeling, and advanced planning methodologies
• Support career development through mentoring, cross-training, and stretch assignments
• Build succession planning pipeline for critical planning roles
• Develop multi-scenario contingency plans for supply chain disruptions
• Lead crisis response planning and execution during disruptions
• Implement early warning systems for demand volatility and supply constraints
• Identify opportunities to enhance forecast accuracy through emerging technologies
• Lead lean/six sigma initiatives improving planning cycle time by 20-30%
• Deploy strategic evolution of KPIs and performance management frameworks
• Champion best practice sharing across regional teams and business units

Benefits

• Hybrid Work Environment
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Flexible Spending Account | Health Savings Account
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discount
• Parental Leave
• Life Insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees