S&OP And Inventory Manager Lead

Job Description

This role focuses on developing and executing robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and inventory management processes rather than day-to-day food procurement. You will design and manage short-, mid-, and long-term supply and demand plans, ensure healthy inventory levels across channels and regions, and lead performance management to optimize availability. The position requires a strong blend of analytical, strategic, and execution skills, as well as the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive change across complex supply chain environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-term (0-13 weeks), mid-term (3 months to 2 years), and long-term (2 years) supply and demand plans, including units and cubic capacity, to support regional distribution and transportation capacity needs.
• Facilitate discussions on regional distribution and transportation capacity to align supply and demand plans with operational capabilities.
• Lead process and performance management activities to maintain healthy channel inventory levels and optimize inventory availability within the region.
• Manage inventory availability risks by proactively analyzing demand and supply information, identifying potential issues, and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Provide guidance on regional availability prioritization and allocations, ensuring timely execution of decisions by partners and leadership.
• Define and provide direction on lifecycle and channel inventory policies and processes across segments and geographies to support consistent execution.
• Manage and monitor category supply metrics at the regional level, tracking performance against targets and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Drive, own, and facilitate relevant forums, meetings, and communication channels to ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability across stakeholders.
• Support launch processes, readiness activities, and execution of initiatives to successfully deliver new and uplift SKUs into the supply chain of store development partners.
• Lead large, multi-level, cross-functional meetings, ensuring clarity of decisions, ownership, and follow-through on action items.
• Identify, manage, and analyze data, metrics, and key performance indicators that drive business results, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Project manage initiatives by tracking progress, coordinating cross-functional work, and moving teams toward completion of goals.
• Manage complex customer and partner relationships, using strong influencing skills to align priorities and resolve issues.
• Balance and manage workload with dynamic, competing priorities while maintaining high quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Lead change management efforts related to new or improved supply chain processes, tools, and ways of working.
• Develop, optimize, and implement supply chain processes that improve efficiency, visibility, and performance.
• Build relationships and trust across teams to drive action and foster collaboration.
• Manage consensus-building, conflict resolution, and escalation in a structured and constructive manner.
• Connect strategic themes, insights, and opportunities across the business, flexing between strategic and tactical work as needed.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in a highly interactive environment to ensure aligned planning and execution.

Essential Skills

• Experience in supply chain planning, forecasting, finance, or inventory/product/portfolio management, ideally with exposure to S&OP processes.
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, including storytelling for decision-making.
• Strong ability to lead large, multi-level, cross-functional meetings, driving clarity, accountability, and follow-through.
• Strong ability to identify, manage, and analyze data, metrics, and KPIs that drive business results.
• Ability to project manage initiatives, track progress, and move teams toward completing goals in a timely manner.
• Experience managing complex customer or partner relationships and demonstrated influencing skills.
• Experience managing workload with dynamic, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing supply chain planning, forecasting, and inventory or portfolio management.
• Experience leading change management initiatives within operations or supply chain functions.
• Experience with process development, optimization, and implementation.
• Skilled at building relationships and trust to drive action across cross-functional teams.
• Skilled at managing consensus, conflict resolution, and escalation in a structured manner.
• Proactive and organized, with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Keen critical thinking skills with the ability to flex between strategic and tactical scopes, connecting themes, insights, and opportunities.
• Understanding of supply chain, business, and operations principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, and Tableau.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Multiple functional experiences within supply chain planning, forecasting, finance, or inventory/product/portfolio management.
• Prior experience in environments that require strong S&OP capabilities.
• Background in forecasting, procurement, and inventory management.
• Comfort working with cross-functional partners and store development stakeholders.
• Interest in meaningful, broad, cross-functional work with local partnerships.
• Strong ability to challenge the status quo and anticipate leadership or cross-functional concerns.

Work Environment

The role operates in a highly collaborative and interactive team environment with frequent engagement across cross-functional groups. The position follows a hybrid work model, with four days onsite each week. You will work extensively with digital tools and technologies, including Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, and Tableau, to manage planning activities, analyze data, and communicate insights.

Job Type & Location

• Type: Contract
• Location: Hybrid in Seattle, WA

Pay and Benefits

• Pay Range: $65.00 - $70.00/hr
• Benefits: Medical, dental & vision, 401(k), life insurance, disability, HSA, transportation benefits, and more.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 23, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.