Strategic Planning Lead

Ashland Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team rewards

Benefits from Day 1

401(k) match

Remote/Hybrid options

Job summary

Ashland Inc. is seeking a remote SBU Planning Lead to join our Life Sciences team. This highly visible role reports to the Global SC Director, Life Sciences, and supports Sales & Operational Planning for assigned SBUs across regions.

Responsibilities include leading S&OP activities, coordinating with Manufacturing, Business Management, and Commercial teams to balance service, capacity, and costs. Strong Excel and SAP skills are required; travel up to 20%. East/Central US time zones preferred.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in Supply Chain Planning, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics or Finance in international environment.
• Experience with SAP and advanced planning software preferred.
• Proficient in Excel; strong English communication and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead S&OP activities for assigned SBUs and regional BU to balance service, capacity, inventory and costs.
• Facilitate near-term supply issue resolutions with Business Management, Commercial, and Regional Supply Chain.
• Collaborate with manufacturing locations on development and execution of production plans.
• Coordinate resupply planning with Supply Coordinators through hub & spoke networks.
• Monitor KPIs on service, inventory and execution to meet targets and drive improvement.
• Contribute to organizational goals with initiative, performance and safety focus.
• Build collaborative relationships to enhance capacity and capabilities; strong communication.
• Travel up to 20% (likely quarterly).

Skills

Supply Chain Planning

Excel

SAP

Advanced Planning software

English communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Time zone flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

APICS CPIM certification

Tools

SAP

Advanced Planning software

Excel

Job description

Ashland Inc.

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a SBU Planning Lead to join our Life Sciences business. This remote role is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the Supply Chain function. This position will report to Global SC Director, Life Sciences.

This role is open to anyone living on the East Coast or Central Times zones

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leading Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) activities for assigned SBUs & regional BU, to balance customer service, capacity, inventory & operational costs.
• Facilitating resolution of near‑term supply issues in partnership with Business Management, Commercial teams, and Regional Supply Chain.
• Working with assigned manufacturing locations in the development and execution of production plans.
• Working with Supply Coordinators on resupply planning through hub & spoke networks, for the assigned SBUs.
• Monitoring of key performance metrics focused on service, inventory, and execution to meet targets & drive continuous improvement.
• Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
• Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others
• Up to 20% travel (likely once a quarter, scheduled)

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• 5 -7-year experience in Supply Chain Planning, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics or Finance within an International working environment.
• Experience with SAP.
• Experience with Advanced Planning software systems preferred.
• Must be proficient in Excel, with access a plus.
• Excellent communication (written & verbal in English), logic, and reasoning skills; additional languages are a plus.
• Positive, results-driven attitude.
• Flexible work schedule preferred to allow support for regions in various time zones.
• Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times.
• The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, and making complex decisions.

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit

• Bachelor's degree; MBA a plus
• APICS CPIM certification a plus
• Lean / Six Sigma certification if preferred
• Five years of SC planning experience

Perks of working at Ashland:

• Team recognition rewards, sponsored lunches and monetary incentives based on performance
• Comprehensive Benefit package, Medical, Dental and Vision starting on Day 1 for you AND your family
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Supporting work/life balance, we offer Flexible office location – Remote/Hybrid

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical.

Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.

Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.

Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.