Planner III, Supply Chain (S&OP)

Sun Chemical has an exciting opportunity for a Supply Planner to join the Packaging & Graphics Division in North America to play a role in advancing our supply chain. 

The ideal candidate is highly analytical and collaborative to support end-to-end supply planning activities within a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for balancing customer demand, production capacity, inventory, and material availability to ensure optimal service levels while achieving inventory and operational performance targets.

The Supply Chain Planner will play a key role in the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process by leading supply reviews, managing inventory strategies, coordinating product lifecycle transitions, and driving cross-functional alignment across Manufacturing, Commercial, Product Management, Technical Services, and Operations teams.

Core Responsibilities:

• Prepare supply packets that include inventory levels, plan-to-produce metrics, customer service levels, and overall plans to meet customer demand volumes. Supply packets should identify inventory DOH, OTIF, potential supply issues, plans to recover supply shortfalls, and decisions to be discussed and decided upon during the supply meeting. 
• Lead regular Supply Review meetings with manufacturing and operations teams to evaluate production plans, inventory positions, and capacity requirements as critical inputs to the S&OP process; prepare and analyze supply planning data, metrics, and presentation materials for executive and cross-functional review.
• Collaborate with operations and regional supply teams to convert demand forecasts into executable production plans and rough-cut capacity plans; identify supply constraints, evaluate risks, and develop scenario models to support informed decision-making and resolution strategies.

• Inventory management: develop and maintain inventory targets that support customer service, working capital, and operational objectives; monitor inventory performance against established targets and key business metrics; manage dormant, excess, and slow-moving inventory by partnering with operations and commercial teams to develop corrective action plans.
• Drive inventory optimization initiatives while maintaining required service levels.
• Assess production capacity and material availability to ensure sufficient supply for forecasted demand. Identify and resolve capacity constraints and material shortages through proactive planning and cross-functional collaboration.
• Coordinate product reallocations and resupply activities to maximize customer service while minimizing operational and transportation costs. Partner with Product Management, Technical, Commercial, and Manufacturing teams to support new product introductions, product transfers, and product discontinuations. Develop transition plans that ensure uninterrupted customer service while minimizing inventory obsolescence and dormancy risks. Monitor launch and phase-out activities to ensure accurate supply planning throughout the product lifecycle.
• Business Scenario planning to include the support of development of supply scenarios during constrained supply situations; provide supply planning input to commercial and product management teams to support business prioritization and profitability objectives.
• Participate in targeted customer account reviews for complex supply chains or long-lead-time products. Collaborate with customers, customer service teams, and commercial stakeholders to validate inventory coverage and align service expectations.
• Serve as a key supply chain liaison across manufacturing, operations, commercial, and technical organizations.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of relevant supply chain experience, preferably in supply planning within a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading S&OP supply reviews and preparing supply meeting packets and executive presentation materials.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end supply chain processes and hands-on experience running S&OP workflows.
• Experience with material and supply planning within ERP/CRM environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (PowerPoint proficiency required); strong analytical, problem-solving, and scenario-modeling skills to build sound business cases and drive root cause analysis.
• Proven ability to work self-motivated with minimal supervision; strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills in a high-volume, highly matrixed, SLA environment.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Advanced Systems Experience: Hands-on experience with SAP/APO or Kinaxis.
• Cross-Functional Process Experience: Prior experience running or participating in demand planning meetings.

BENEFITS

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.