Sr. Manager, Operations Strategy

Novolex•Lake Forest, IL

4d•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role will execute the modeling and analytical work required to optimize the enterprise end-to-end network for cost efficiency, service performance, scalability, and sustained competitiveness. It supports network strategy development, advanced modeling, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring the organization makes well-supported, financially sound capital and expense decisions. The position involves translating highly technical network architectures and complex data into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders. It also requires facilitating cross-functional working groups to define strategic options, mitigate risks, and deliver final, data-driven recommendations. The role will build and leverage advanced statistical, mathematical, and financial models to run scenario analyses, simulate network changes, and optimize costs. Additionally, it involves constructing detailed, defensible business cases to support major capital projects, network redesign initiatives, and operational investments, as well as creating and reviewing capital and expense projections, including sensitivity analyses, multiyear forecasts, and scenario-based financial planning. The Sr. Manager will conduct hands-on network and cost analyses, partnering with Finance, Operations, Engineering, and Procurement to build comprehensive total-cost and savings models that inform strategic recommendations. Analysis of demand signals, operational constraints, and market trends will be used to identify bottlenecks and investment tradeoffs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, business, or related field.
5+ years of experience in network optimization, supply chain strategy, transportation optimization, or a related analytical field.
Demonstrated ability to translate analytical findings into financial and strategic implications.
Strong financial acumen, including capital and operating expense forecasting, ROI modeling, and cost-benefit analysis.
Knowledge of optimization methods, simulation, and scenario modeling.
Experience working in a complex, multi-facility, multi-node network environment.
Excellent executive communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Expertise in network modeling tools preferred (e.g., Optilogic, Llamasoft, Coupa, Blue Yonder, Supply Chain Guru, or similar).

Responsibilities

Execute modeling and analytical work to optimize the enterprise end-to-end network for cost efficiency, service performance, scalability, and sustained competitiveness.
Support network strategy development, advanced modeling, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure the organization makes well-supported, financially sound capital and expense decisions.
Translate highly technical network architectures and complex data into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders.
Facilitate cross-functional working groups to define strategic options, mitigate risks and deliver final, data driven recommendations.
Build and leverage advanced statistical, mathematical and financial models to run scenario analyses, simulate network changes and optimize costs.
Construct detailed, defensible business cases to support major capital projects, network redesign initiatives, and operational investments.
Create and review capital and expense projections, including sensitivity analyses, multiyear forecasts, and scenario-based financial planning.
Conduct hands-on network and cost analyses, partnering with Finance, Operations, Engineering and Procurement to build comprehensive total-cost and savings models that inform strategic recommendations.
Analyze demand signals, operational constraints and market trends to identify bottlenecks and investment tradeoffs.