Manager, Planning

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical/Dental/Life/Disability

PTO & Sick Days

Job summary

CS Power Systems is seeking a highly analytical Planning Manager to lead demand and supply planning, forecasting, inventory management, and planning operations for the North American business. You will collaborate with Factory, Sales Operations, Finance, Product Management, and executives.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, 7+ years of planning experience, strong Excel skills, ERP/CRM experience, and Power BI proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field.
• 7+ years in demand and/or supply planning.
• Strong Excel skills with large datasets.
• Experience with ERP and CRM systems.
• Power BI experience is a plus.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Own demand and supply planning across products and planning horizons.
• Guide allocation and inventory decisions based on commitments and supply.
• Analyze data and translate findings into executive-ready insights and actions.
• Lead system and process improvements with IT and stakeholders.

Skills

Demand planning

Supply planning

Forecasting

Inventory planning

Excel

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain / business / operations

Tools

ERP systems

CRM systems

Job description

Company Summary

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:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• medical/dental/life/disability program
• PTO and sick days

The pay range for this position is 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.

Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions since 2001. Our friendly and dedicated team of sales and operations experts work with retailers and strategic distribution partners all over the globe to provide our residential, commercial and utility‑scale solar solutions. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all parts of our organization as we navigate the complexities of a booming industry.