Director, Supply Planning at Kinder's… · Walnut…

About The Role

As the Director of Supply Planning, you will oversee supply chain functions, including inventory management, production planning, and cost-effective deployment to distribution centers to improve customer fill rates. You will lead efforts to enhance cross-functional collaboration, drive efficiencies, and foster a seamless connection between S&OE and IBP processes. You will work closely with internal stakeholders, such as sales, finance, and operations, as well as external partners, ensuring that supply chain strategies support the overall business goals and growth objectives while embodying Kinder's values.

Key Responsibilities

Culture, Leadership & Strategy:

• Champion a "Fail Forward" mindset that encourages learning from setbacks and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, in line with Kinder's values of Humility and Curiosity
• Develop and execute the supply chain strategy aligned with the company's fast-growth trajectory, ensuring scalability and flexibility while promoting a Builder Mindset that balances long-term vision with immediate needs.
• Lead a high-performing supply chain team, fostering an environment of Collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth. Encourage diverse perspectives and build solutions collectively to achieve the best outcomes.
• Promote a servant leadership approach, leading by example and valuing team contributions in decision-making.
• Collaborate with C-suite executives and cross-functional leaders to integrate supply chain initiatives into the broader business strategy.
• Drive the integration of S&OE (Sales & Operations Execution) and IBP (Integrated Business Planning) to create a unified, end-to-end planning process.
• Facilitate ongoing communication and alignment between supply chain, sales, finance, commercialization, and operations teams, ensuring a cohesive, data-driven approach to planning and inventory optimization.
• Champion the use of advanced planning technologies and tools to improve customer fill rates, speed to market for innovation, renovation, and migration projects, and enhance decision-making.

Operational Excellence:

• Collaborate deeply with procurement, production, inventory management, and distribution teams, fostering an environment of shared ownership and mutual respect that reflects our commitment to Humility and Collaboration
• Monitor supply chain KPIs and inventory metrics to track performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions where needed, driving a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead initiatives to optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve service levels while encouraging a mindset that sees obstacles as creative opportunities for Innovation

S&OE and IBP Bridging:

• Create and maintain a robust, integrated planning process that supports both tactical day-to-day execution (S&OE) and long-term strategic planning (IBP).
• Develop supply chain models that bridge short-term operational decisions with the long-term business plan, balancing agility with strategic foresight.
• Set ambitious goals to align demand forecasts with supply chain capacity, ensuring the ability to support rapid growth while continuously pursuing excellence and minimizing disruptions.

Master Data and Off Shelf Secondary Units:

• Own the management of supply chain master data, including SKU and contract manufacturing attributes, in partnership with Finance, Contract Manufacturing, and Supply Chain leadership.
• Develop strategies for optimizing retail fulfillment of secondary placements, such as PDQs (Pre-Distributed Quantities), DRUs (Display Ready Units), and pallet programs.
• Drive rapid response on these programs by implementing Make-To-Order (MTO) and Make-To-Stock (MTS) approaches for work-in-progress (WIP) items to ensure efficient supply chain responsiveness.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contract manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring reliable sourcing of materials and services at the best quality and cost.
• Monitor supplier performance, implement contingency plans to manage risk, and uphold Integrity by prioritizing long-term success over short-term gains.
• Collaborate with warehouse and logistics partners to ensure improved customer satisfaction through efficient inventory deployment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Lead cross-functional meetings, including weekly S&OE and monthly S&OP reviews, to align performance, develop consensus plans, and drive action plans for continuous improvement.
• Foster an inclusive atmosphere where cross-functional teams are empowered to contribute, building solutions collaboratively rather than operating in silos.
• Actively seek out and implement innovative solutions, continually resetting the standard for supply chain efficiency while embodying Kinder's relentless drive for Results and passion for Innovation
• Encourage a culture where asking the right questions is as valued as having the right answers, demonstrating a commitment to Curiosity
• Drive the adoption of advanced analytics, AI, and automation tools to optimize inventory management, production planning, and decision-making.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain, ensuring business continuity through planning and contingency strategies that prioritize long-term success over short-term gains.
• Implement strategies to navigate supply chain disruptions, including demand volatility, supplier shortages, and logistics challenges, always striving to do what is right for the business, customers, and partners.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, operations, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain management, with a strong focus on collaborative planning, S&OE, and IBP.
• Proven experience in managing supply chains within fast-growing companies or dynamic environments.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Expertise in supply chain planning software (e.g., Blue Yonder, SAP IBP, Kinaxis) and data analytics tools.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage change in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of driving continuous improvement.

Location and Travel

The position will be based out of our office in Walnut Creek, CA. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun. Fridays are flex days with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them.

Pay Transparency

The expected starting salary range for this role is $215,000- $240,000 per year. The salary range posted for this role reflects the good-faith base pay range Kinder’s reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting and may vary based on the location of the role. Individual compensation within the posted range will be determined based on factors such as relevant education, experience, qualifications, skills, and business needs.