Manager, Planning

CS Power Systems Inc.; Bancroft (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Power Systems, a pivotal division within Canadian Solar, seeks a highly analytical Planning Manager to lead demand and supply planning for North America. You will forecast, manage inventory, and coordinate with Factory, Sales, Finance, and executives to drive operational excellence.

The role emphasizes data accuracy, executive communication, and leadership of the planning team in a fast-paced environment, with a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, operations, or related field.
• 7+ years of planning experience across demand, supply, and inventory.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end planning and order lifecycle.
• Advanced Excel skills for large datasets, modeling, reconciliation, data validation and variance identification.

Responsibilities

• Own planning across products and horizons, align forecasts with demand, inventory, and capacity.
• Guide allocation decisions based on customer commitments and supply availability; manage aging inventory.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and translate findings into executive-ready recommendations.
• Lead ERP/CRM processes and drive improvements in tools, controls, and reporting.

Skills

Power BI

Advanced Excel

ERP/CRM systems

Executive communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP software

CRM software

Job description

At CS Power Systems, we're on a mission to transform lives by delivering clean, solar-powered electricity to millions worldwide—and we're just getting started. As a cutting-edge division of Canadian Solar, a global leader founded in 2001, we stand at the forefront of manufacturing high-performance solar panels, inverters, and advanced energy storage solutions. In this fast-growing, high-impact industry, our deep commitment to sustainability drives everything we do, creating innovative technologies that power a brighter, greener future. Across Canadian Solar's powerful ecosystem—including CS Power Systems, CSPowerTech, e-STORAGE, Recurrent Energy, MSS, and CSI Solar—we're deeply invested in our people's success. If you're passionate about renewable energy and want to "Make the Difference" by building a lasting positive impact on the planet and communities everywhere, join us at CS Power Systems—where your talent can help shape the clean energy revolution.

At CS Power Systems, we're on a mission to transform lives by delivering clean, solar-powered electricity to millions worldwide—and we're just getting started. As a cutting-edge division of Canadian Solar, a global leader founded in 2001, we stand at the forefront of manufacturing high-performance solar panels, inverters, and advanced energy storage solutions. In this fast-growing, high-impact industry, our deep commitment to sustainability drives everything we do, creating innovative technologies that power a brighter, greener future. Across Canadian Solar's powerful ecosystem—including CS Power Systems, CSPowerTech, e-STORAGE, Recurrent Energy, MSS, and CSI Solar—we're deeply invested in our people's success. If you're passionate about renewable energy and want to "Make the Difference" by building a lasting positive impact on the planet and communities everywhere, join us at CS Power Systems—where your talent can help shape the clean energy revolution.

Location

Our Walnut Creek, CA office is conveniently located near public transportation (BART), is ideally situated for bicycle commuters, there's plenty of free parking, and an abundance of eateries in the surrounding area. Regular office attendance is expected 4-days per week.

The Opportunity

CS PowerSystems is seeking a highly analytical and self-driven Planning Manager, reporting to the Director of Sales Operations and Planning, to lead demand planning, supply planning, forecasting, inventory management, allocation, and planning operations for the North American business. The role partners closely with Factory, Sales Representatives, Sales Operations, Finance, Logistics, Product Management, and company executives. The ideal candidate combines strong planning fundamentals and business understanding with strategic thinking and exceptional attention to detail. This person must be able to identify meaningful differences in complex data, produce accurate forecasts, and clearly communicate changes, assumptions, risks, and business implications. We value intellectual curiosity and the ability to continue learning and growing in the role.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Forecasting

• Own demand and supply planning across products and planning horizons, aligning forecasts with customer demand, inventory, and production capacity.
• Drive forecast reviews, improve forecast accuracy through disciplined analysis and validation, and identify risks with practical mitigation plans.

Inventory, Allocation & Business Support

• Guide allocation and reallocation decisions based on customer commitments, available supply, and business priorities, while driving effective use of inventory, including aging inventory.
• Maintain planning and inventory data integrity and partner with Factory, Sales Representatives, Sales Operations, Finance, Product Management, and company executives to resolve planning gaps and support decisions.

Data, Communication & Decision Support

• Analyze complex data, identify discrepancies and trends, and translate findings into clear recommendations and executive-ready insights.
• Communicate forecast changes, assumptions, risks, and actions accurately and promptly, while remaining accessible and responsive to Operations, Logistics, the Director of Sales Operations and Planning, and company leadership.
• Ensure planning reports and outputs are accurate, precise, traceable, and delivered on time.

Systems, Process Improvement & Team Leadership

• Own planning-related ERP and CRM processes and data quality, and improve planning tools, controls, automation, and reporting with IT and business stakeholders.
• Lead system and process changes while maintaining operational continuity and manage and develop the planning team with clear priorities and accountability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Required Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, operations, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on planning experience.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, supply planning, inventory planning, or related planning functions, including experience at the specialist level.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end planning and order lifecycle.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including large-dataset analysis, modeling, reconciliation, data validation, and variance identification.
• Hands-on experience with ERP and CRM systems.
• Strong business acumen, analytical judgment, and commitment to data accuracy and precision.
• Ability to connect operational details to broader business priorities and translate data into clear recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills.
• Self-starter who can manage competing priorities, remain positive, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred Experience in the solar, renewable energy, manufacturing, high-tech, or industrial products industry.
• Power BI experience, including dashboard development and data visualization.
• Experience leading S&OP or similar cross-functional planning processes.
• Experience managing and developing a planning team.

Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement.

Our generous benefits package includes a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/dental/life/disability program, PTO and sick days.

The pay range for this position 110-150K.

This range represents annual base salary only, without regard to location, and does not include bonus or other incentives or benefits that may apply.

The pay range for this role is subject to change.

Canadian Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

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