Director of Supply Chain

Essense of Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Essense of Australia seeks an experienced Director of Supply Chain to lead Perth-based Planning, Purchasing and Logistics. You will drive end-to-end supply chain performance, balance inventory, and optimize cash flow while aligning with global stores and partners.

You will manage three functional managers, drive strategic initiatives, leverage AI tools, and deliver insights to senior leadership in a fast-paced, high-growth wholesale/retail environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' senior leadership experience across supply chain planning, purchasing and logistics.
• Experience managing an end-to-end supply chain from PO through to delivery to customer.
• Experience managing offshore warehouses or distribution operations is highly regarded.
• APICS qualification (CSCP, CPIM, CDDP) or equivalent highly desirable.
• Qualification in, or demonstrated experience with, Lean Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement methodology.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-based decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning, Purchasing and Logistics Managers and their teams, setting clear objectives.
• Set the overall Supply Chain strategy and operating model to align with commercial goals.
• Own demand and supply planning outcomes, including forecast accuracy and stocking policy.
• Own PO, factory shipment and returns performance in partnership with Purchasing Manager.
• Own international freight, customs compliance and warehouse replenishment.
• Deliver financial insights to senior stakeholders including VP of Finance and CEO.
• Lead integration of AI tools to automate workflows and improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with Director of Factory Operations to balance capacity and demand.
• Develop scenarios to inform inventory planning and cash flow decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement programs across Supply Chain.
• Provide visibility of performance and risks through dashboards with BI.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

BI tools

ERP knowledge

AI tools adoption

Advanced Excel

Interpersonal skills

Change leadership

Education

APICS CSCP/CPIM/CDDP or equivalent

Lean Six Sigma or similar CI methodology

Tools

BI tools

ERP systems

AI tools

Job description

For over 25 years, Essense of Australia has led the way in bridal fashion as a dynamic, international bridal wholesaler and retailer with key offices in Lenexa, Kansas (U.S.), Perth, Australia, and Zug, Switzerland. Our reach extends across the globe, operating in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond. With nearly 1,000 stores carrying our exquisite designs, we are one of the most trusted and innovative brands in bridal fashion today. At Essense, every gown we create is crafted with passion, and every partnership we forge is built on trust. We are more than just a global bridal brand—we are an experience, woven into wedding celebrations around the world.

Building on decades of success in wholesale, Essense of Australia expanded its expertise in 2019 with the launch of True Society, a global bridal collective. Today, True Society is one of the fastest-growing names in bridal retail, with a worldwide network of stores offering brides the ultimate wedding dress shopping experience. With locations across the U.S., Australia, and Europe, we help brides celebrate their personal style and discover the dress of their dreams.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Director of Supply Chain to lead our Perth-based Supply Chain function, spanning Planning, Purchasing and Logistics. This is a senior leadership role accountable for the end-to-end flow of product, from demand forecasting and factory purchase orders through to warehouse replenishment and delivery to our stores worldwide.

You will lead three functional Managers, Planning, Purchasing and Logistics, and their teams, balancing supply and demand, optimising inventory and cash flow, and ensuring our stores receive the right product at the right time. You will work closely with the Director of Factory Operations to reconcile factory capacity against demand, and with Product Operations on quality and fabrication risk affecting supply.

Most importantly, we are seeking a leader who is aligned with our culture, who will create and support an inspiring environment that promotes productivity, innovation and fun!

What You’ll Do

Lead and develop the Planning, Purchasing and Logistics Managers and their teams, setting clear objectives and building a high-performing, accountable function

Set the overall Supply Chain strategy and operating model, ensuring Planning, Purchasing and Logistic operate as an integrated function aligned to commercial, customer and financial objectives

Own demand and supply planning outcomes, including forecast accuracy, inventory strategy and stocking policy working closely with the Planning Manager

Own purchase order, factory shipment and returns performance in partnership with the Purchasing Manager

Own international freight, customs compliance and warehouse replenishment in partnership with the Senior Logistics Manager

Own the preparation, analysis and delivery of company-wide invoicing and margin reporting, providing accurate and timely financial insights to senior stakeholders, including the VP of Finance and CEO

Lead the integration of AI tools and technology across Supply Chain, identifying opportunities to automate workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and improve team output, while embedding AI adoption into everyday ways of working

Partner directly with the Senior Director of Factory Operations to reconcile factory capacity against demand forecasts, creating a single, shared view of capacity, constraints and supply risk

Demonstrate strategic thinking with scenario modelling to inform inventory planning, factory load balancing and cash flow decisions

Lead continuous improvement programs across Supply Chain, reducing waste, improving service levels and improving financial performance

Provide clear visibility of Supply Chain performance, risks and opportunities through effective operational reporting and dashboards, in partnership with Business Intelligence

Develop responsive, customer-focused solutions in a complex, multi-country environment

International travel as required to support offshore warehouse and supplier relationships

What You'll Bring

8+ years' senior leadership experience across supply chain planning, purchasing and logistics

Demonstrated experience managing an end-to-end supply chain, from factory purchase order through to customer delivery

Experience managing an offshore warehouse or distribution operation highly regarded

APICS qualification (CSCP, CPIM, CDDP) or equivalent highly desirable

Qualification in, or demonstrated experience with, Lean Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement methodology

Proficient in making data-based decisions and building actionable insights using BI tools; strong ERP knowledge with system improvement experience highly regarded

A forward-thinking approach to operational excellence, with the ability to evaluate and apply AI tools strategically — driving measurable efficiency gains and equipping your team to work smarter at every level of the operation.

Advanced interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence executive leadership and build trusted relationships across the organisation, both locally and globally

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, advanced Excel preferable

Demonstrated success within a wholesale, retail or manufacturing environment

Ability to drive change, adapt and respond to business needs in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Thorough, research-driven approach and a willingness to consult and collaborate with others (both locally and globally) to overcome obstacles and achieve the best results

What We Offer

We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to our global team! In return for your skills, we offer you the opportunity to join an international industry leader and be part of a creative and collaborative culture that empowers its people, promotes teamwork and embraces sustainability. We recognise and reward excellence, innovation, and loyalty. Our goal is to offer an inspirational and modern workplace that allows for talent individuals to thrive.