The Role:
Reporting to the Supply Chain Regional Sr Director, The Associate Director of Demand and Supply Planning leads the development of integrated strategies that maximize fill rates, optimize inventory, and drive supply chain efficiency. By fostering cross-functional alignment and championing continuous improvement, you will ensure seamless integration between commercial forecasts, operational capabilities, and strategic goals. Acting as a key connector across Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams, the Associate Director enables a responsive, agile, and cost-effective supply chain that meets evolving market demands.
At Kao, we offer amazing benefits that are available to you on your first day of employment (healthcare, 401(k) plus company match), 36 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick) and a reasonable salary range of $150,000 - $180,000.
What you will do:
- Demand Planning Leadership
- Oversee the demand planning process to ensure the development of data-driven forecasts across all sectors.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Finance to resolve Gaps between Consensus Forecast and Budget/LE, targeting "one number".
- Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy (MAPE/BIAS/Outlier) through analytics, PDCA, and process refinement.
- Supply Planning and Inventory Optimization.
- Oversee the supply planning process to ensure optimal inventory levels, maximizing service levels, minimizing slow moving/obsolete, and driving cost efficiency across the network.
- Drive efficient scheduling processes for In-house manufacturing, balancing capacity and efficiencies against supply planning objectives.
- Ensure contingency planning and risk mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.
- Initiate and support TCR activities to improve Total Supply Chain Costs.
- Partner with Procurement, Quality, Logistics and other SCM cross teams to give supply chain excellence and support business objectives.
- Collaborate with Affiliates to ensure pan-regional and broader objectives are met on service and inventory.
- Data & Systems Development.
- Champion the use of both advanced tools as well as simple quick win-visualization options to drive efficiencies and enhance responsiveness.
- Ensure data integrity and support scenario planning for strategic initiatives.
- Team Leadership & Development.
- Manage and mentor the Demand & Supply Planning team, fostering a climate of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Build team capabilities through coaching, training, and performance management.
- Promote collaboration across broader SCM teams to drive operational excellence.
- Stakeholder Communication and Support.
- Communicate risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies proactively across key business partners.
- Support cross teams within and beyond supply chain and influence decisions that drive the business.
What you will need:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Data Analytics or related field (Master's Preferred).
- 8+ years progressive experience in supply chain, demand planning, or operations management.
- 5+ years in leadership or managerial roles (within Consumer Goods Industry preferred).
- Proven experience with S&OP/IBP processes, forecasting, and inventory optimization
- Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with great compensation packages, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward thinking and new ideas.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/).
Kao USA is an equal opportunity employer, including disability/vets.
#LI-Hybrid
This is a hybrid remote/in-office role.
Top Skills
What We Do
Ever since the company's founding in 1887, Kao has strived to deliver value to the life of people everywhere in the world. Today, we are a leading manufacturer in the fields of hygiene, beauty and health, while our chemical business contributes to the development of diverse industries. With more than 33,000 employees, our mission is to enrich the lives of people globally and contribute to the sustainability of the world.
In the regions of Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we focus on our Beauty Care business with premium brands in three business sectors: Consumer, Salon and Cosmetics.
Our Business Sector represents skin and hair care brands that are recognized worldwide for their innovation and quality, such as Jergens, Curél, Bioré, Guhl, and John Frieda.
Our Salon Business Sector is committed to unleashing the creativity of stylists around the globe. With our industry leading brands Goldwell, KMS and Oribe, stylists have everything in their hands to create beautiful show-stopping hair representative of the individuality of their clients.
Our London-based boutique brand, Molton Brown, offers luxury beauty products found only in our exclusive Molton Brown stores, high-end department stores and travel retail, as well as five-star hotels around the world.
All three business sectors are driven by the same values and beliefs: Creating high-quality products and constantly striving for the best is what is at the heart of everything we do.
This is why we understand that our people are one of our core assets, and we strive for a working environment that allows team members to flourish and grow. Join us, and you will have opportunity to help us make life beautiful
