Network Planning Specialist

Nestle; Solon (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Healthcare coverage

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Nestlé is seeking a Network Planner Specialist in the United States to own end-to-end inventory deployment, allocation, and network planning decisions. The role balances service, cost, and inventory targets while coordinating across planning, logistics, and execution teams.

You will drive timely, data-informed decisions under uncertainty, ensuring alignment between planning assumptions and business priorities. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential to optimize performance and value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 2–5+ years in supply chain or planning roles.
• Strong data analysis and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Own short- and mid-term inventory deployment across plants, DCs, regions.
• Define and govern allocation strategies and prioritization rules.
• Lead cross-functional planning forums and provide data-driven insights.
• Develop KPI reporting and drive cost reduction and working capital optimization.

Skills

Data analysis

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP

OMP

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.

At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

The Network Planner Specialist owns end-to-end inventory deployment, allocation, and network planning decisions to consistently achieve service, cost, and inventory targets.

This role acts as the single point of decision-making authority across deployment, order fulfillment, and network strategy, balancing trade-offs between service levels, working capital, capacity, and waste.

Operating across planning, logistics, and execution teams, this role drives timely, data-informed decisions under uncertainty and ensures alignment between planning assumptions, operational constraints, and business priorities.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Deployment & Inventory Decision Ownership

• Own and execute short- and mid-term inventory deployment decisions across plants, DCs, and regions to meet service, cost, and inventory targets


• Proactively identify supply risks using horizon-based analysis, incorporating inventory levels, inbound timing, QA release status, and capacity constraints.


• Monitor system alerts, inventory imbalances, and service risks; lead cross-functional resolution efforts. Drive resolution of inventory imbalances and service risks through timely decisions


• Make trade-off decisions between service, cost, capacity, and waste within defined guardrails

Order Fulfillment & Allocation

• Define and govern allocation strategies, prioritization rules, and inventory segmentation policies


• Owns final decision on mitigation strategy in alignment with Order-to-Cash and Commercial inputs.


• Lead critical allocation decisions during constrained supply situations, balancing customer service and business priorities


• Communicate allocation strategies, service risks, and mitigation plans to senior stakeholders

Collaboration & Planning Support

• Actively engage with key stakeholders in key planning forums


• Influence decision-making by providing data-driven insights and recommendations


• Ensure alignment between planning assumptions, operational constraints, and business objectives

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and deliver reporting on key KPIs: COF, waste, capacity utilization, supply payload, and redeployment cost


• Perform root cause analysis on service failures, inventory excess/shortage, and network inefficiencies


• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, service improvement, and working capital optimization


• Conduct scenario modeling and what-if analysis to support strategic decision-making

Master Data & System Optimization

• Own and maintain network planning master data in planning system to support accurate planning and execution


• Ensure data integrity to support accurate planning and execution


• Drive planning system and process improvements to enhance planning efficiency and visibility

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• 2-5+ years of experience in supply chain, demand/supply planning, transportation, or customer service


• Experience working in fast paced, cross-functional environments.


• Strong ability to analyze data and turn insights into actions.


• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with ability to translate data into actionable decisions.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel required; Power BI preferred) and ability to leverage AI-enabled tools and advance analytics to support planning and decision-making


• Experience working with planning systems (e.g. SAP, OMP) and data-driven environments.


• Clear written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong organization and time management skills.


• Ability to work with large datasets and extract insight to drive business outcomes.


• Expected to make timely decisions with imperfect data and prioritize solutions over escalation or analysis paralysis

Salary: $65,000.00 to $80,000.00 per year

Bonus Eligibility: Yes

The pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more at https://www.nestlejobs.com/nestle-in-the-us-benefits

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Review our applicant privacy notice before applying at https://www.nestlejobs.com/privacy.