Senior Director of Forecasting and Production

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Forecasting & Production Planning oversees the forecasting and production planning at multiple contract manufacturers facilities throughout North America. This includes analyzing planned sales data and forecasting SAMBAZON's finished goods needs, communication and planning for production with contract manufacturing teams, tracking and securing proper production line time, validating and reporting attainments, as well as facilitating communications and problem solving between the contract manufacturers and SAMBAZON. The Senior Director of Forecasting & Production Planning is expected to manage production at a variety of contract manufacturers to ensure full product in-stock position. It requires strong skills and background in forecasting production from internal and external sales plans, experience with planning and directing contract manufacturing, as well as excellent communication and reporting skills. Additionally, the Senior Director of Forecasting & Production Planning will coordinate and manage a monthly S&OP process between Sales and Operations. Although limited, the candidate should be willing to travel to these facilities where required.

The role offers a generous benefits package, an annual bonus opportunity, and half-day Fridays! This position will by a hybrid role with regular days on-site in our San Clemente office.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Work with monthly and yearly sales forecasts to plan monthly finished goods production with a variety of domestic contract manufacturers
• Interface with Technical Services to understand contract manufacturers’ production capabilities relative to SAMBAZON's planned production volume requirements
• Manage all phases of monthly forecasting, production planning and production run timing with individual contract manufacturing facilities and manage timing and budgets appropriately to assure zero OOS situations. Required to submit and update monthly PO’s to lock in production.
• Manage all production calendars, ensure weekly production data and confirm daily, weekly and monthly production attainment by contract manufacturer
• Forecast, plan and manage all R&D trials as well as new product launches at new or existing contract manufacturing facilities.
• Work with the Technical Services team to maintain, validate and publish a quarterly Contract Manufacturing scorecard.
• Manage current and future relevant contract manufacturers to meet the production needs of SAMBAZON's current and new product offerings.
• Responsible for enforcing the production pricing and volume commitments in contract manufacturers written contract commitments and maintaining compliance from individual contract manufacturers.
• Manage production scheduling to flex capacity at multiple manufacturing facilities simultaneously.
• Work directly with the Procurement Team to supply Production Plan Overlook, maintain BOM in SAP, ensure MRP adherence and resolve issues that may impact production plans. Maintain and inbound processing fee costs in SAP and support AP on contract manufacturer invoices
• Maintain and develop positive relationships with management and staff at each contract manufacturing facility.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field required (Engineering, Food Science, Business, Manufacturing) with a strong preference for a higher degree.
• APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), and ISM Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or other similar certifications highly preferred
• Seven or more years of Food and Beverage forecasting and production planning experience including food compliance and record keeping
• Seven or more years of experience working with or working in a food contract manufacturing environment
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of on-site plant/manufacturing operations including food processing and packaging
• Experience in dealing with highly volatile supply chains and logistics in the food category
• Strong organizational skills and record keeping of electronic data
• Knowledge of key processing platforms and food safety risks in juice/beverage manufacturing and frozen dessert manufacturing. Working knowledge of FDA, Organic and Kosher compliance requirements
• Ability to manipulate and develop mathematical calculations as it relates to product formulations.
• Ability to travel to the various contract manufacturing operations on an as needed basis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for addressing all levels of the SAMBAZON business, customers, consumers, regulatory authorities, consulting experts, and global colleagues.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing setup, production needs, and line operations.
• Previous forecasting or production planning experience in contract manufacturing facility is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and lead in a high growth environment and manage ambiguity.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Must be able to establish a partnership across functional areas within SAMBAZON: Supply Chain & Procurement, QA, Logistics, Marketing, R&D, and external contacts, (co-packers and suppliers).