Strategic Distribution & Inventory Planner (Onsite SD)

Kalon Executive Search; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a growing consumer products and manufacturing company to identify an experienced Distribution Planner. This role focuses on inventory, demand and supply data, distribution planning, and cross-functional teamwork to optimize product flow and customer fulfillment.

Based in San Diego, this onsite position requires analytical acumen with advanced planning systems, collaboration with Sales, Demand Planning, Logistics, and Warehouse teams to balance service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Five+ years of distribution planning or related experience.
• Experience with SAP and advanced Excel for analysis.
• Experience with retail, international, and e-commerce fulfillment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage finished goods inventory distribution across domestic and international distribution centers to balance supply with customer demand and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Develop and maintain distribution plans that maximize order fulfillment, minimize stockouts and excess inventory, and support established service levels.
• Monitor inventory availability across multiple distribution locations to support retail, international, and e-commerce customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, and Supply Planning teams to anticipate demand changes related to promotions, product launches, and seasonal fluctuations.
• Work closely with Logistics and Warehouse teams to ensure timely shipment of finished goods and resolve issues that may impact customer fulfillment.
• Utilize advanced planning and supply chain systems to develop distribution plans, analyze inventory positions, and generate operational reporting.
• Maintain accurate planning inputs and continuously improve planning processes to increase forecast accuracy and distribution effectiveness.
• Analyze supply chain data and key performance indicators, including inventory turnover, fill rates, service levels, and on-time delivery.
• Prepare and present regular reports on distribution performance, inventory status, and supply chain trends to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, optimize inventory, and increase overall distribution efficiency.
• Analyze historical demand trends across customers, SKUs, and distribution locations to provide actionable feedback to demand planning teams.
• Monitor inventory levels and distribution requirements to identify potential supply gaps, excess inventory, and other risks before they impact customer fulfillment.
• Support direct-to-consumer, retail, and international distribution requirements while accounting for the unique needs of each channel.
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve supply and distribution challenges and ensure alignment between demand, supply, inventory, and logistics.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives designed to strengthen planning accuracy, inventory performance, customer service, and overall supply chain effectiveness.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Advanced Excel skills

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Logility

OMP

Blue Yonder

Kinaxis

Job description

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a growing consumer products and manufacturing company to identify an experienced Distribution Planner. This role focuses on inventory, demand and supply data, distribution planning, and cross-functional teamwork to optimize product flow and customer fulfillment.

Based in San Diego, this onsite position requires analytical acumen with advanced planning systems, collaboration with Sales, Demand Planning, Logistics, and Warehouse teams to balance service