Senior Planner, Global Supply Planner

Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

Job Overview: 

The Senior Global Supply Planner is responsible for managing, analyzing and executing longer term, strategic planning tasks related to long range supply and capacity plan, as well as pre-season and in-season supply planning process to optimize supply availability to global markets.  This role is to assess and mitigate any potential supply risk along critical GTM milestones due to demand variations, capacity or fabric/material constraints and forecast variances, etc.   To succeed, you will have to build strong relationship with internal (product supply teams, brand and commercial planning team) and external stakeholders (Vendors).  You will utilize your strong analytical skill sets to drive decision making that ensures processes are integrated and aligned across all regions.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Support long range planning (LRP) activities with internal and external stakeholders – drawing up robust plans that are aligned with the sourcing strategy and address key planning scenarios.

·         Support the planning manager to validate the forecast, and translate MFP forecast into capacity, allocation, material type. Use MFP forecast, historical and insights to provide initial allocation guidance for vendor allocation team, validate through critical GTM Milestones. Translate regional DC receipts plan to PO placement schedule

• Understand demand forecasts and market information from regions, and use this to drive conversations and decisions for seasonal and long-range planning

·         Responsible to validate and present supply signal to ensure product supply group have one source of forecast for decision making

• Support the Planning Manager on current planning processes and key areas of responsibility, and making process improvements for efficiency and in line with team and company strategy

·         Create and maintain the seasonal buy plan, optimize global PO placement schedule and set buy strategy (e.g. exceptions LLT call out, one-time buy to avoid surcharge, MOQ review, set buy windows with regional planning to align with sales meeting calendar & long holiday / black out period, material pre-position actions…etc.).  Updated monthly to reflect requirement and capacity changes.

• Drive and execute monthly need to buy process as well as seasonal calendars for buy dates and shipping schedules

·         Collect capacity risk assessment from capacity planning team and drive actions and resolutions with regional planning team

·         Partner with capacity planning team to identify capacity risk and mitigation actions for both brand planning and product supply - Fairshare, prebuild, push-out, re-allocation, capacity increase, vendor own-prebuild…etc.

·         Work with material planning to define material proposition strategy to optimize lead time while balancing liability risk

·         Governance buy execution to ensure alignment with agreed actions during global consensus meeting

·         Coordinate information/data gathering and system setup for smooth buy execution

·         Roll-up Capacity and Production Planning updates to communicate with regions

·         Challenge the status quo by adopting creative ideas that will drive improvement in process, to support a customer centric approach

·         Drive department KPI’s OTP, Acceptance Rates, Calendar Execution, Fill Rates, Management Reporting and support Quality, CSR, and other relevant Brand needs

Key Competences:

• End to End Supply Chain Knowledge – strong understanding of how supply planning links to demand, production, materials, logistics and merchandising.  
• Capacity modeling and scenario planning – ability to model production capacity, identify constraints and run what if scenarios.
• Analytical and data driven decision making - proficiency in using data analytics and tools to make informed decision. Ability to analyze complex data sets and translate insights into actionable strategic
• Cross-functional collaboration, influence & effective communication - experience in leading cross-functional teams and management relationship with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Process Discipline – strong grasp of planning cycles, governance routine, and planning parameters management.
• Communication and presentation – able to clearly communicate supply risks, options and decisions to both technical and executive audiences.
• Continuous improvement mindset – experience driving planning efficiency through process re-design, automation or data improvements.
• Change management - experience with change management and transformation particularly in implementing new process, technologies, and organizational structures.
• Global mindset - cultivate awareness and sensitivity to operate effectively in diverse market and environments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field.  An MBA or relevant master’s degree is often preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in supply chain management, with a strong background and understanding in capacity and production planning or similar field.
• Proven experience managing global teams across multiple countries.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in supply chain management software and tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA).
• Advanced analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions, experience with data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a track record of driving process improvements in a global setting.

Key Stakeholder Management: (Internal use only)

• VF Commercial:  Global Brand Planning team, 3 x regional planning team, Global and Regional Material team each individual brand 
• VF Product Supply:   Global Sourcing Leads by Brand; Global Material Planning team, Global Capacity planning team, Global Allocation team  
• VF Production Planning team in Regional Office:  Across 8 countries and Regional Country Directors.
• External stakeholder:  10- 40 Vendors across globe varies by brand
• Extended working hours due to the time zone difference – heavy global calls at APAC night time.