Sr Manager SC Optimization

Ulta Beauty; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 123,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

Ulta Beauty in Bolingbrook, IL is seeking a Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Optimization to lead CI and cost optimization across the supply chain, partnering cross-functionally to protect margins, enable growth, and scale our network.

You will own the CI pipeline from concept to pilot, develop business cases for enterprise priorities, and translate analyses into executive-ready recommendations. Travel up to 10% may be required; MBA preferred but not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or MBA preferred, ideally in Supply Chain, Business, Strategy, Finance, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, strategy, continuous improvement, consulting, or related fields
• Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and driving measurable business outcomes
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate data into strategic insights
• Excellent communication and executive storytelling skills
• Experience in retail, eCommerce, omnichannel, or complex distribution environments preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead supply chain continuous improvement (CI) efforts, identifying, evaluating, and advancing initiatives that deliver sustainable cost offsets while protecting service levels
• Own and manage the CI pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of ideas from concept through pilot, implementation, and realized savings
• Partner with Finance to validate savings assumptions, track realized benefits, and ensure offsets are accurately captured in the P&L
• Support Enterprise Cost Optimization initiatives, including analysis, execution support, and leadership communications
• Drive broader supply chain cost optimization efforts across labor, transportation, network, and process improvement levers
• Develop and advance initiatives including new fulfillment concepts, product flow optimization, and B2B
• Build business cases, strategic frameworks, and decision materials to support executive alignment and investment decisions
• Conduct and oversee quantitative and qualitative analysis to support CI initiatives, strategic concepts, and day-to-day decision-making
• Develop insights related to product flow, DC assortment strategy, and network efficiency
• Synthesize complex data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders
• Develop high-quality presentations and written materials for executive audiences
• Support leaders in preparing content for strategic reviews, operating updates, and planning forums
• Translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling narratives that align stakeholders and drive decision-making
• Partner within the Supply Chain team and cross-functionally
• Influence without direct authority by building trust, alignment, and shared accountability across teams
• Mentor and develop team members and contributors involved in CI and strategic initiatives
• Support supply chain international expansion initiatives, with an emphasis on B2B fulfillment, compliance, and operating model design

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Executive storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SAP

Job description

Bolingbrook, Illinois – Supply Chain – Full Time

OVERVIEW

Imagine. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and a thriving supply chain network, there has never been a greater need for people of high initiative, of big-picture thinking, and adaptability to share in our journey. At Ulta Beauty, we have greater ambitions. Growing what works. Iterating in areas that have promise. Creating new offerings for industry advantage.

In all of this is the opportunity to experience real impact, to effectuate change, to give wings to a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism. Because the challenges are multi-faceted and ever-changing. But for those inspired by real-world demands that press and stretch, that call for new and smarter ideas, that require heavy doses of trust and respect, Ulta Beauty encourages you to imagine with us.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE

The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Optimization is a strategic leader within Supply Chain Planning & Compliance (SCP&C), responsible for designing and advancing initiatives that protect margin, enable growth, and improve the scalability of the supply chain. This role leads supply chain continuous improvement (CI) and cost optimization efforts by building and managing a disciplined pipeline of ideas that progress from concept to pilot, implementation, and realized savings.

In addition, this leader partners cross‑functionally to develop strategic concepts that shape the future of the supply chain. This includes supporting enterprise priorities such as B2B strategy, international expansion enablement, new fulfillment concepts, and product flow. The role focuses on framing complex problems, evaluating trade‑offs, and translating analysis into clear, executive‑ready recommendations that inform decision‑making.

This position plays a critical role in storytelling and communications, supporting the development of presentations, strategic narratives, and leadership content, while also providing hands‑on analytical support across initiatives. The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Optimization influences outcomes through insight, structure, and alignment rather than direct operational ownership, helping ensure the supply chain is proactively designed to support long‑term business objectives.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

Supply Chain Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization

• Lead supply chain continuous improvement (CI) efforts, identifying, evaluating, and advancing initiatives that deliver sustainable cost offsets while protecting service levels
• Own and manage the CI pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of ideas from concept through pilot, implementation, and realized savings
• Partner with Finance to validate savings assumptions, track realized benefits, and ensure offsets are accurately captured in the P&L
• Support Enterprise Cost Optimization initiatives, including analysis, execution support, and leadership communications
• Drive broader supply chain cost optimization efforts across labor, transportation, network, and process improvement levers

Strategic Concept Development

• Lead and support strategic concept development within SCP&C, translating enterprise priorities into actionable supply chain strategies
• Develop and advance initiatives including new fulfillment concepts, product flow optimization, and B2B
• Build business cases, strategic frameworks, and decision materials to support executive alignment and investment decisions

Analysis & Insight Generation

• Conduct and oversee quantitative and qualitative analysis to support CI initiatives, strategic concepts, and day‑to‑day decision‑making
• Develop insights related to product flow, DC assortment strategy, and network efficiency
• Synthesize complex data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders

Communications & Executive Storytelling

• Develop high‑quality presentations and written materials for executive audiences
• Support leaders in preparing content for strategic reviews, operating updates, and planning forums
• Translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling narratives that align stakeholders and drive decision‑making

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner within the Supply Chain team and cross‑functionally
• Influence without direct authority by building trust, alignment, and shared accountability across teams
• Mentor and develop team members and contributors involved in CI and strategic initiatives

International Expansion & B2B

• Support supply chain international expansion initiatives, with an emphasis on B2B fulfillment, compliance, and operating model design
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (International, Merchandising, Finance, Technology, Supplier Operations) to assess supply chain readiness for new markets
• Help define and document scalable B2B operating models including order flow and fulfillment design, compliance, customs, and trade considerations, and 3PL and external partner models
• Develop strategic frameworks, analyses, and executive‑ready materials to support decisions related to fulfillment approach, cost‑to‑serve and margin implications
• Translate international B2B strategy into actionable supply chain concepts that can be piloted, scaled, and operationalized

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS

Education

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or MBA preferred, ideally in Supply Chain, Business, Strategy, Finance, or related discipline.

Experience

5+ years of experience in supply chain, strategy, continuous improvement, consulting, or related fields

Proven experience leading cross‑functional initiatives and driving measurable business outcomes

Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate data into strategic insights

Excellent communication and executive storytelling skills

Experience in retail, eCommerce, omnichannel, or complex distribution environments preferred

Skills and Competencies

Strong strategic mindset and business acumen, with the ability to integrate supply chain dynamics and strategies into broader enterprise goals and influence executive‑level decisions.

Comfort operating in ambiguity and shaping problems before solving them

Skilled in continuous improvement frameworks

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging, influencing, and aligning stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives and external partners.

Advanced analytical and problem‑solving capabilities; proficient with planning and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI/Tableau, SAP).

Other

Willingness to travel up to ~10% and flex work hours during major events and critical initiatives.

Salary and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $122,900.00 - $160,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full‑time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part‑time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well‑established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make‑up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.