Job Description
As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in terms of tradition, with some farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each of us makes a difference in allowing these traditions to continue, taking pride in nourishing our friends, neighbors, nation, and the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our product portfolio includes milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian cheese, and ice cream mix, marketed under the Upstate Farms, Bison, Milk for Life, and Intense Milk brands.
Job Summary: The Director of Supply Chain Planning will lead all Demand and Supply Planning elements within the Integrating Business Planning Process at Upstate Niagara Cooperative. This includes managing finished goods and raw material inventories, and developing strategic supply and capacity plans across 8 plants and 30+ customer distribution points. The role emphasizes collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Manufacturing teams to develop demand and supply plans that optimize assets and ensure high customer order fulfillment. The Director will play a key role in operational excellence and support the cooperative’s mission of nourishing lives with high-quality dairy products.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning Leadership
* Develop, visualize, and execute the organization’s Integrated Business Planning strategy aligned with business goals for margin, efficiency, growth, and cost management.
* Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to understand demand trends and identify potential opportunities over a 24–36 month horizon.
* Maintain an accurate understanding of manufacturing capabilities and costs to evaluate asset utilization and align supply chain capacity with demand.
* Implement and manage advanced planning systems, staying updated on emerging technologies relevant to dairy manufacturing and supply chain planning.
Operational Planning Management
* Oversee replenishment of raw materials, packaging, and other critical goods, ensuring alignment with quality standards and schedules.
* Monitor customer demand performance, communicate trends, and address business gains or losses.
* Work with Manufacturing to address supply chain issues and implement corrective actions.
* Coordinate with sales, production, quality, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure seamless operations.
Cost Optimization and Efficiency
* Identify opportunities to reduce fulfillment costs without compromising quality or reliability.
* Refine planning processes to enhance efficiency and transparency.
* Use data analytics to track KPIs and support decision-making.
Risk Management and Compliance
* Develop risk mitigation strategies like dual sourcing or inventory pre-builds to enhance agility.
* Assess and mitigate risks related to demand and capacity imbalances through inventory or demand management plans.
* Establish contingency plans for demand shortages.
Team Development
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing planning team.
* Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Assess team skills regularly and provide training to build capabilities.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience
* Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s or professional certification (e.g., APICS, CPIM) preferred.
* At least 10 years of progressive experience in Demand and Supply Planning or supply chain management, including 5 years in leadership roles.
* Experience in dairy manufacturing or food production is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
* Strong understanding of planning concepts, inventory management, and best practices.
* Knowledge of dairy-specific planning needs, such as raw milk balancing and short shelf-life management.
* Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools such as Power BI and Tableau.
* Experience with ERP and planning software systems like SAP Hana, Forecast Pro, Excel, etc.
* Understanding of Materials Requirements Planning strategies.
* Effective conflict resolution, facilitation, and communication skills.
* Ability to lead and manage a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
Other Requirements
* Willingness to travel as needed to various locations.
* Commitment to the cooperative’s values of collaboration, integrity, excellence, and making a difference.
Pay: $150,000 - $200,000 annually
*The salary range is indicative and may vary based on experience, education, and other factors. It includes other benefits such as health insurance, retirement, wellness programs, paid time off, and holidays.
Upstate Niagara Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected characteristics.
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