About our Client:
Summit Search Group has partnered with New Directions Aromatics Inc. (NDA), a leading wholesale supplier of essential oils, natural raw materials, and specialty packaging. They source directly from ethical producers in all six continents, enabling them to offer the largest selection of pure essential oils at accessible prices. Established in 1998, NDA was created with the goal of making a significant contribution to the Essential Oils market. They have expanded their product line to include cosmetic bases developed in-house, as well as fragrances and botanical extracts. NDA is a leading supplier of defining ingredients to the North American health and beauty industries.
Position Scope: The Supply Chain Planning Manager plays a key role in leading the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process and overseeing production planning, inventory control, and internal supply chain coordination. This role ensures the right balance between supply and demand to meet customer service targets, improve inventory accuracy, and drive operational efficiency across the plant.
Working within a fast-growing business, the Supply Chain Planning Manager leads a motivated team of professionals and collaborates closely with Production, Logistics, Quality, R&D, and Purchasing to ensure smooth execution of short-, mid-, and long-term plans. The role combines strong analytical capability with hands-on leadership to deliver results in a dynamic, scaling environment.
Responsibilities:
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Lead the S&OP process to align supply and demand, ensuring service and production targets are achieved.
- Partner with Sales, Production, and Purchasing to synchronize forecasts, monitor gaps, and recommend adjustments.
- Track forecast accuracy and capacity utilization, driving improvements to planning effectiveness.
- Facilitate monthly S&OP review meetings, providing clear, data-driven recommendations.
Production Planning & Coordination
- Oversee production schedules to ensure timely and efficient order fulfillment.
- Coordinate closely with Production and Inventory teams to support seamless execution and material flow.
- Balance production capacity with inventory levels to optimize output and reduce bottlenecks.
Inventory Control & Management
- Manage end-to-end inventory processes, including tracking, reconciliation, and physical verification.
- Maintain optimal inventory levels to minimize overstock, obsolescence, and stockouts.
- Lead cycle counts and implements corrective actions to maintain high accuracy.
- Ensure data integrity and compliance within the ERP system.
Performance Monitoring & Process Improvement
- Maintain KPIs and dashboards for S&OP, inventory accuracy, and production performance.
- Analyze data trends and provide insights to improve forecast accuracy, cycle times, and cost efficiency.
- Identify and implement process improvements to streamline planning and inventory management.
- Support compliance with GMP, ISO 9001, and ISO 22716 standards.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing planning and inventory team.
- Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across departments.
- Promote Lean, 5S, and best practice planning methods to sustain operational excellence.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Proven experience in S&OP, production planning, and inventory management.
- Strong analytical mindset and ERP proficiency; advanced Excel or analytics skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration across teams.
- Deep understanding of GMP and ISO-based operational environments.
- Organized, adaptable, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, scaling business.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 5–7 years of progressive experience in S&OP, planning, and inventory management—ideally within cosmetics, food, or FMCG industries.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams and improving planning processes.
- Track record of process optimization, cost reduction, and operational improvement.
Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.
