Director, Planning & Forecasting

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, over 50 stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

We are seeking a Sr. Director, Planning & Forecasting to lead the Planning function within Lakeshore’s Supply Chain business unit and guide our integrated business planning. In this role, you’ll own the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process end to end, driving alignment across demand, supply, inventory and revenue plans, and you’ll be a key voice in executive decisions on inventory investment, capacity commitments and business performance. 

This is a high-visibility leadership role for someone who can turn market demand signals into a disciplined, data-driven operating plan for our multi-DC distribution network and retail stores. You’ll set the strategic direction for the Planning team while owning the department’s KPIs, leading six direct reports and a broader team of 20+ planning professionals responsible for item-level forecasting, PO creation, DC inventory positioning and safety stock strategy. 

Reporting to the SVP, Planning, you’ll continue advancing our planning capabilities in SAP S/4HANA, evaluating and implementing automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools and advanced analytics that make planning decisions faster and sharper. We’re looking for a leader who is equally strong at analyzing scenarios, developing planning talent and presenting data-driven recommendations to senior leadership. It’s meaningful work: when the plan is right, classrooms and families get what they need, when they need it. 

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Leading the monthly S&OP process, from item-level demand forecast through the executive S&OP meeting, and driving alignment between the forecast, inventory targets and revenue plan 
• Coaching and developing six direct reports and a team of 20+ while staying hands-on in daily operations, building the skills and bench strength the team needs to grow 
• Overseeing all import and domestic inventory buys within Open-to-Buy (OTB) limits, and leading the domestic expediting team to deliver every buy on time and in full 
• Managing item-level inventory availability across two distribution centers and all retail store locations to meet inventory and customer fulfillment goals, and recommending inventory investment strategy to senior leadership 
• Defining and governing the inventory segmentation framework, including ABC classification, growth velocity tiering and lifecycle-based safety stock policy 
• Driving cross-functional process improvement projects that move department and company KPIs 
• Evolving planning capabilities in SAP S/4HANA by evaluating and implementing automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools and advanced analytics 

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

Required: 

• 10+ years of experience in supply chain, logistics or operations management 
• 7+ years in a management role leading planning, inventory or buying teams 
• Expertise in import and domestic buying of consumer packaged goods or finished goods 
• Experience managing inventory across a multi-tier distribution network and global supply chain, including multi-channel fulfillment and retail allocation 
• Advanced working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA 
• Proven success leading continuous improvement projects 

Preferred: 

• Experience applying automation, AI-enabled forecasting tools or advanced analytics to demand and supply planning 
• Experience building inventory segmentation and safety stock policies (ABC, velocity tiering, lifecycle-based) 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain!

At Lakeshore, we pay local market wages for employees that reside within Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

For this position, new employees joining Lakeshore who live within Los Angeles and Orange Counties are typically brought into the organization at a salary rate between $180,000-$220,000 depending on relevant experience & skillset.

This range is indicative of projected hiring range. The annual base compensation will take into account each candidate's relevant experience, location, and skillset.

• Bonus eligible
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy.

Lakeshore is an E-Verify employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Please see the E-Verify Participation Poster and Know Your Rights Poster in English and Spanish for more information. INDRLL1