Sr. Manager, Operations Strategy

Novolex; Lake Forest (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Health savings accounts

Paid vacation

Sick days

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays

Wellness program

Job summary

Novolex seeks a senior network optimization professional to lead strategy across a multi‑facility network, translating data into clear financial implications for leadership.

The hybrid Lake Forest, IL role requires 5+ years’ analytical experience and excellent executive communication. The position offers collaboration with Finance, Operations, Engineering and Procurement to build robust ROI models and capital plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, business, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in network optimization or related analytical field.
• Experience with network modeling tools preferred.
• Ability to translate analytics into financial and strategic implications.
• Strong financial acumen, including forecasting and ROI modeling.
• Experience in multi-facility, multi-node networks.
• Excellent executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate highly technical network architectures and complex data into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to define strategic options, mitigate risks and deliver final, data driven recommendations.
• Build and leverage advanced statistical, mathematical and financial models to run scenario analyses, simulate network changes and optimize costs.
• Construct detailed, defensible business cases to support major capital projects, network redesign initiatives, and operational investments.
• Create and review capital and expense projections, including sensitivity analyses, multiyear forecasts, and scenario-based financial planning.
• Conduct hands‑on network and cost analyses, partnering with Finance, Operations, Engineering and Procurement to build comprehensive total-cost and savings models that inform strategic recommendations.
• Analyze demand signals, operational constraints and market trends to identify bottlenecks and investment tradeoffs.

Skills

Executive communication

Financial modeling

Network optimization

Multi-facility operations

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Optilogic

Llamasoft

Blue Yonder

Coupa

Supply Chain Guru

Job description

Job Description

This is a hybrid position with 3 days a week in our Lake Forest, IL office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate highly technical network architectures and complex data into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to define strategic options, mitigate risks and deliver final, data driven recommendations.
• Build and leverage advanced statistical, mathematical and financial models to run scenario analyses, simulate network changes and optimize costs.
• Construct detailed, defensible business cases to support major capital projects, network redesign initiatives, and operational investments.
• Create and review capital and expense projections, including sensitivity analyses, multiyear forecasts, and scenario-based financial planning.
• Conduct hands‑on network and cost analyses, partnering with Finance, Operations, Engineering and Procurement to build comprehensive total-cost and savings models that inform strategic recommendations.
• Analyze demand signals, operational constraints and market trends to identify bottlenecks and investment tradeoffs.

What We Need from You:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, business, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in network optimization, supply chain strategy, transportation optimization, or a related analytical field.
• Expertise in network modeling tools preferred (e.g., Optilogic, Llamasoft, Coupa, Blue Yonder, Supply Chain Guru, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to translate analytical findings into financial and strategic implications.
• Strong financial acumen, including capital and operating expense forecasting, ROI modeling, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of optimization methods, simulation, and scenario modeling.
• Experience working in a complex, multi-facility, multi-node network environment.
• Excellent executive communication skills.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $160-000 - $180-000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#INDSalaried

#LI-Hybrid

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact [e-mail].