Head of Inventory & Operations Planning EMEA (m/f/d)

Stellenbeschreibung:

Define and oversee the production planning, integrating demand planning, procurement, and manufacturing
Conduct long- and midterm capacity planning incl. CAPEX and OPEX planning
Create master production schedules that balance demand, capacity, and inventory across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons
Approve and oversee allocation of internal and external capacities, ensuring alignment with business objectives (profitability, on-time delivery, flexibility)
Anticipate capacity bottlenecks and proactively design contingency and expansion plans

Demand driven inventory planning for raw materials and semi-finished goods
Define and develop inventory policies and appropriate safety stock for all product families
Proactively monitor inventory levels across all sites and ensure faster turns
Monitor slow-moving/dead stock and define counter measures
Lead and develop the production planning team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Build strong planning capabilities by mentoring planners, introducing best practices, and supporting professional development
Act as the primary escalation point for complex planning and scheduling issues

Drive alignment with key stakeholders including production, procurement, project management, sales, and supply chain management
Partner with senior leadership to ensure planning supports strategic objectives, new product launches, and market expansion
Represent the planning function in executive meetings and strategic planning sessions

Drive a step-change in planning maturity
Own and continuously improve planning processes and tools (ERP, advanced planning systems such as WayRTS)
Implement advanced planning methodologies to optimize utilization, lead times, and throughput
Champion digital transformation by leveraging analytics, scenario modeling, and automation

Define and track key planning KPIs (on-time delivery, forecast accuracy, inventory levels, lead times, adherence rates)
Lead root-cause analyses and implement corrective measures to address deviations
Drive strategic improvement initiatives to increase resilience, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or Business Management, ideally with a strong focus on Supply Chain Management; Master’s degree preferred
7+ years of experience in inventory, operations, and production planning in complex, multi-site manufacturing or automotive environments
Motivated to work in a high-pace environment, transforming current planning organization
Strong knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred) and advanced planning systems; WayRTS is a plus
Proven leadership skills with ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills at all organizational levels
Strong analytical mindset with ability to solve complex operational challenges
Advanced MS Excel skills; PowerBI is a plus
Fluent in English and German; Italian is an advantage
Adaptable to dynamic market, production, and supply chain environments