Sales Operations Planning Manager

LMK Recruiting Solutions; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LMK Recruiting Solutions seeks a Manager of Sales & Operations Planning to oversee the end-to-end planning process in the Greater Chicago Area. You will lead S&OP functions and manage cross-functional teams, ensuring operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in supply chain leadership, with strong skills in inventory management and a deep understanding of various operating models. Join us to drive strategic planning and enhance business performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, planning, or operations leadership.
• Proven experience leading Buyers and Planners in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of MTO, ATO, ETO, and MTS operating models.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the S&OP process, aligning demand forecasts with supply, capacity, and inventory strategies.
• Lead and develop the Buying and Planning teams.
• Establish and track KPIs including forecast accuracy and inventory turns.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical mindset

Inventory management

Data translation into action

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Location: Greater Chicago Area, IL (On-Site)

Reports to: Director of Operations

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and hands‑on Manager of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to lead the end‑to‑end planning function across a complex manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for aligning demand, supply, and inventory to ensure the business operates efficiently while meeting customer commitments.

You will own the S&OP process, lead Buyers and Planners, and drive execution across multiple fulfillment models including Make‑to‑Order (MTO), Assemble‑to‑Order (ATO), Engineer‑to‑Order (ETO), and Make‑to‑Stock (MTS). This is a high‑impact leadership role for someone who thrives in fast‑paced, multi‑SKU environments and can balance strategy with execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the S&OP process, aligning demand forecasts with supply, capacity, and inventory strategies
• Translate commercial demand into actionable production and procurement plans
• Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Operations, Engineering, and Finance to manage risks and trade‑offs
• Establish planning cadence, forecasting discipline, and data integrity across teams

Buying & Procurement Oversight

• Lead and develop the Buying team
• Establish sourcing strategies aligned with demand and inventory goals
• Ensure timely material availability to support production and customer commitments
• Manage supplier performance, lead times, and risk mitigation strategies

Planning & Scheduling

• Lead and develop the Planning team
• Own master production scheduling across MTO, ATO, ETO, and MTS workflows
• Ensure production plans are realistic and aligned with capacity constraints
• Drive continuous improvement in planning accuracy and execution

Inventory Management

• Own enterprise‑wide inventory strategy and performance
• Implement and manage ABC classification frameworks and stocking policies
• Balance service levels with inventory turns and working capital efficiency
• Address excess, obsolete, and slow‑moving inventory through data‑driven actions

Operational Alignment

• Define and standardize planning rules across multiple fulfillment models
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on ETO workflows and constraints
• Align inventory positioning with customer expectations and lead‑time commitments
• Drive scalability and consistency across operating units

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and track KPIs including forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, and plan adherence
• Use data to identify gaps and drive corrective actions
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning and procurement
• Support ERP and planning system enhancements

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, planning, or operations leadership
• Proven experience leading Buyers and Planners in a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of MTO, ATO, ETO, and MTS operating models
• Deep understanding of inventory management, including ABC classification
• Experience building and running S&OP processes in multi‑SKU, multi‑site environments
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into action
• Excellent cross‑functional leadership and communication skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role where you will shape planning strategy, drive operational discipline, and directly impact business performance. You’ll work cross‑functionally with key stakeholders and play a critical role in building a scalable, high‑performing supply chain.