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Director of S&OP and Demand Planning

Job description:We are thrilled to advertise theDirector of S&OP and Demand Planningposition for the Wonderfield Group!Business OverviewThe Wonderfield Group is owned by Zensho Holdings, the leading food service company in Japan with a market capitalization of over $5.5billion and whose aim is to become the world's largest food company, a position from which we can eradicate hunger and poverty from around the globe. Wonderfield operates restaurants, factories, and thousands of sushi kiosks and has recently built a successful cut fruit business, Snowfruit. Wonderfield enjoys annual sales of over $2.5billion and EBITDA in excess of $140m a year with an ambitious growth trajectory.About the RoleTheDirector of S&OP and Demand Planningwill be a highly experienced and strategic leader who will build our Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand forecasting, and inventory management functions. This role will be responsible for driving an integrated planning process that aligns sales, supply chain, and financial objectives to support business growth and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in building forward-looking, data-driven planning capabilities, improving forecast accuracy, and optimizing inventory while enabling cross-functional collaboration. This position will play a critical role in evolving our planning processes from reactive, historical approaches to a more proactive, forecast-driven model that supports scalability and long-term success.Key Responsibilities & DutiesLead the S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) process end-to-end, ensuring alignment across Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain.Own and drive the demand planning and forecasting strategy, improving forecast accuracy and bias.Oversee inventory management, including safety stock policies, service levels, and working capital optimization.Develop and implement integrated business planning (IBP) capabilities and maturity roadmap.Partner with brand and commercial teams to align sales forecasts with strategic and financial plans (AOP).Establish and monitor KPIs such as forecast accuracy, fill rate, inventory turns, and OTIF.Lead scenario planning and risk mitigation strategies (supplier constraints, demand variability, disruptions).Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, tools, and systems (e.g., ERP like BC, planning tools, etc.).Ensure alignment between supply plans and demand signals, balancing service levels and cost.Collaborate with Procurement and Operations on lead times, capacity planning, and supplier performance.Lead cross-functional communication and executive-level reporting for planning cycles.Build and mentor a high-performing planning team.Identify and resolve gaps in current planning processes (e.g., reliance on historical data vs. forward-looking forecasts).Support new business initiatives, product launches, and customer-specific planning requirements (e.g., Vistar).Drive data integrity and governance across planning systems (e.g., item setup, UOM, master data).Partner with Finance on budgeting, cost-to-serve analysis, and margin optimization.Lead change management efforts related to process transformation (e.g., shift to brand-led planning).Ensure alignment between operational execution and strategic business goals.Perform other related duties as assigned by management.Qualifications & Skills15+ years in supply chain planning, demand planning, or S&OP leadership rolesProven experience leading cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide planning processesStrong background in forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply planningExperience with ERP systems (e.g., Business Central or similar) and planning toolsDemonstrated ability to drive process transformation and change managementExcellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skillsProven ability to work cross-functionally and lead initiativesExcellent organizational skills and attention to detailExcellent management skillsExcellent interpersonal skillsPhysical DemandsProlonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computerMust be able to lift up to 25 pounds at timesWhat's On the Menu for You? (Compensation & Benefits)We don't just serve fresh sushi, we serve fresh opportunities!Here's a taste of what you can expect:Competitive Pay Package (see salary range listed)Annual Bonus Opportunity (Discretionary)Competitive Health & Wellness Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance -100% covered by AFC for you and all eligible dependents. Yes, seriously!)401(k) with Company MatchPaid Time Off & Paid Holidays including a Floating Holiday to celebrate your birthdaySpecial Employee Anniversary Milestone GiftOther Employee DiscountsEmployee Referral BonusA friendly & positive work culture which inspires collaboration, recognizes accomplishments, and fosters continuous growth, creating not just a workplace, but a community where people truly thrive.Location:On-site (Rancho Dominguez, CA)J-18808-Ljbffr