Sales and Operations Planning Manager - IPL

IPL is a global leading sustainable packaging solutions provider that manufactures specialty rigid packaging products used in the food, consumer, agricultural, logistics and environmental markets. Sustainability is essential to the long-term success of our business. As a packaging company that develops plastic-based solutions for our customers, it is imperative that we meet the customer needs while being mindful of our operational impacts and the need to preserve our planet. We are committed to running our business responsibly and in ways that drive environmental, social and economic value for our stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, employees and local communities. We employ over 2,500 people in 18 manufacturing facilities, 2 corporate & sales offices and 3 R&D facilities across Canada, China, Europe, and the United States.

Read more about our story at: www.iplglobal.com.

Job Title: Sales and Operations Planning Manager

Location: Remote, NA

Role Overview: The Sales and Operations Planning Manager will lead the implementation, standardization, and continuous improvement of our company's Sales and Operations Planning processes. This pivotal role involves overseeing the Sales & Operations process across 10 locations in North America, optimizing our supply chain operations, fostering collaboration between departments, and maximizing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Job Overview and key duties (agile)

• Develop and implement standardized S&OP strategies based around a monthly cadence with a 12-24 month horizon, focusing on manufacturing network optimization, future CapEx needs, and sourcing requirements.
• Analyze market trends, customer demands, and historical data to make informed supply chain decisions.
• Facilitate collaboration between sales, marketing, customer service, production, engineering, and procurement teams to align on supply and demand forecasts.
• Evaluate the demand forecast/production plan against inventory, capacity, and external factors and to create mitigation actions if needed.
• Identify significant business risks and escalate to the appropriate leadership teams.
• Coordinate with Sales & Operations Execution Manager during the transition from Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to S&OE process
• Conduct regular meetings with stakeholders to review S&OP performance, resolve issues, and adjust plans as necessary.
• Develop and maintain KPIs to measure S&OP effectiveness, providing regular reports to the executive team.
• Continuously assess and improve S&OP processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Anticipate and mitigate potential supply chain disruptions, adjusting plans based on global and regional economic factors and industry trends.
• Role model the company's values and principles in all aspects of work.
• Provide leadership, coordination, and coaching to the team, ensuring they are well-trained to achieve operational and financial metrics.
• Support ongoing training initiatives to enhance team skills and competencies.

Additional information (including specialized qualifications / skills – please list)

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in S&OP, specifically in manufacturing operations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Must be an agile leader.
• Proven track record of implementing process improvements and achieving operational excellence.
• In-depth knowledge of industry best practices and emerging trends in supply chain management.
• Experience in supply chain planning within multiple ERP systems; IFS experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in managing supply operations in multi-site, multi-product manufacturing environments.
• Advanced data analytic skills, including expertise in analyzing data trends, forecasting, and classifying data.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs; familiarity with Business Analytics and Microsoft Power BI is advantageous.
• Ability to set strategic direction, develop strategic plans, and lead change management initiatives to achieve success.
• Commercial and financial acumen, with expertise in multisite P&L management.
• Proven ability to lead and implement change, structure, and process improvements, fostering continual cultural, technological, and operational transformation.
• Knowledge of M&A led growth and integration, with experience in conducting global business operations.
• Effective collaboration and teamwork skills, capable of working across multiple functional areas.
• Willingness to travel, with an expected commitment of 30% of working time for business-related travel.