Sr. Director, Planning & Forecasting (Hybrid)

Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC•Carson, CA

22h•$180,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Sr. Director, Planning & Forecasting to lead the Planning function within Lakeshore’s Supply Chain business unit and guide our integrated business planning. In this role, you’ll own the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process end to end, driving alignment across demand, supply, inventory and revenue plans, and you’ll be a key voice in executive decisions on inventory investment, capacity commitments and business performance. This is a high-visibility leadership role for someone who can turn market demand signals into a disciplined, data-driven operating plan for our multi-DC distribution network and retail stores. You’ll set the strategic direction for the Planning team while owning the department’s KPIs, leading six direct reports and a broader team of 20+ planning professionals responsible for item-level forecasting, PO creation, DC inventory positioning and safety stock strategy. Reporting to the SVP, Planning, you’ll continue advancing our planning capabilities in SAP S/4HANA, evaluating and implementing automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools and advanced analytics that make planning decisions faster and sharper. We’re looking for a leader who is equally strong at analyzing scenarios, developing planning talent and presenting data-driven recommendations to senior leadership. It’s meaningful work: when the plan is right, classrooms and families get what they need, when they need it.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in supply chain, logistics or operations management
7+ years in a management role leading planning, inventory or buying teams
Expertise in import and domestic buying of consumer packaged goods or finished goods
Experience managing inventory across a multi-tier distribution network and global supply chain, including multi-channel fulfillment and retail allocation
Advanced working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA
Proven success leading continuous improvement projects

Nice To Haves

Experience applying automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools or advanced analytics to demand and supply planning
Experience building inventory segmentation and safety stock policies (ABC, velocity tiering, lifecycle-based)

Responsibilities

Leading the monthly S&OP process, from item-level demand forecast through the executive S&OP meeting, and driving alignment between the forecast, inventory targets and revenue plan
Coaching and developing six direct reports and a team of 20+ while staying hands-on in daily operations, building the skills and bench strength the team needs to grow
Overseeing all import and domestic inventory buys within Open-to-Buy (OTB) limits, and leading the domestic expediting team to deliver every buy on time and in full
Managing item-level inventory availability across two distribution centers and all retail store locations to meet inventory and customer fulfillment goals, and recommending inventory investment strategy to senior leadership
Defining and governing the inventory segmentation framework, including ABC classification, growth velocity tiering and lifecycle-based safety stock policy
Driving cross-functional process improvement projects that move department and company KPIs
Evolving planning capabilities in SAP S/4HANA by evaluating and implementing automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools and advanced analytics