Supply Chain Planning Manager

Talascend is currently seeking a Supply Chain Planning Manager for a contract opportunity with our client in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Overview

The supply chain planning manager will serve as a hands-on planning leader responsible for supply planning execution and inventory optimization across finished goods and internal production planning. This high-visibility role requires strong planning fundamentals, analytical rigor, systems capability, and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute weekly supply planning cycles for finished goods and manufacturing production planning.
• Validate system-generated plans against demand, supply, inventory, capacity, and inbound signals to ensure supply continuity and timely order placement.
• Serve as a supply planning subject matter expert by using planning fundamentals, business judgment, and data-driven analysis to validate plans, identify exceptions, and drive timely decisions.
• Lead inventory optimization by establishing and maintaining planning parameters, including safety stock, lead times, minimum and maximum targets, planning methods, and item-level inventory strategies.
• Build and manage monthly supply plans and annual business plans in alignment with demand, supply capability, inventory targets, and business growth objectives.
• Lead shortage, excess inventory, and inbound risk management by identifying root causes and corrective actions, quantifying business impact, developing recovery plans, and escalating unresolved issues as needed.
• Plan phase-in and phase-out activity by partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to support new product launches, product transitions, and lifecycle management.
• Partner cross-functionally with manufacturing operations, procurement, finance, logistics, demand planning, merchandising, sales, and regional teams to resolve constraints and align supply plans with business priorities.
• Track inbound supply risks, including international shipments, container delays, supplier schedule changes, production delays, and logistics disruptions, and translate risks into clear mitigation actions.
• Establish and publish operational dashboards, reports, and performance metrics to provide leadership with visibility into supply health, inventory, service risk, and required actions.
• Use advanced analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence-enabled tools to simplify planning processes, improve decision quality, reduce manual work, and strengthen planning execution.
• Coach and guide planners or analysts as needed to improve supply planning, analytical rigor, communication, process discipline, and digital tool adoption.
• Develop and sustain a continuous improvement culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, operations, engineering, business, logistics, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of experience in supply planning, production planning, inventory planning, materials planning, sales and operations planning, logistics planning, or supply chain operations.
• Experience managing supply planning in a manufacturing, consumer products, durable goods, appliance, industrial, automotive, retail, or other complex product environment.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and regions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with long-lead-time global supply chains and international suppliers.
• Strong digital and analytics capabilities, including advanced Excel, data query tools, automation tools, and practical use of artificial intelligence tools to improve planning processes.
• Strong storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to convert complex data into clear business recommendations for senior leaders.