Supply Chain Data & Planning Specialist

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & annual bonus

401(k) with company contributions

Medical, dental, vision insurance from

Paid time off & holidays

Parental leave

Wellness programs & wellness reimburse

Work flexibility

Life & disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Mental health & caregiver support

Job summary

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. seeks a data analytics professional to strengthen the planning data foundation across SKUs and planning domains. The role lies at the intersection of data, systems, and planning execution to improve visibility and reduce manual effort.

You will support Demand, Supply, and S&OP processes with data readiness and standardized reporting, leveraging Power BI and SAP integrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in STEM fields.
• 3–5 years in data analytics, supply chain analytics or planning support.
• Master’s degree may substitute some experience.
• Experience in planning, S&OP or decision-support environments preferred.
• SAP experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen planning data foundation across SKUs.
• Improve data consistency and reporting discipline.
• Provide analytical support for Demand, Supply and S&OP planning.
• Coordinate data inputs between SAP, Excel and PSI files.
• Develop standardized reports and dashboards for planning discussions.

Skills

Excel advanced

Power BI

Power Automate

SAP experience

Data analytics

Data governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Data validation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Mathematics, or related STEM

Master’s degree may be considered in lieu of experience

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Power Automate

Excel (spreadsheets)

ERP data sources

Job description

At Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, we are making significant advances in food and health with new ideas and innovative technologies. We are seeking candidates with energy and enthusiasm to be part of our growing team throughout North America. As an Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition employee, you are part of a diverse, innovative, and collaborative community committed to enhancing lives through nutrition and health. Our team is committed to providing amino acid-based solutions that create better lives for all.

Our people are the key ingredient to our success. We offer a collaborative, innovative environment where you can grow your career and make an impact on global food and health solutions.

We provide a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, including

• Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Opportunity
• 401(k) with Company Contributions
• Medical, Dental, and Vision — Effective Day 1
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, and Floating Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Programs and Yearly Wellness Reimbursement
• Work Flexibility
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
• Career Growth and Development within a Global Organization
• Company-Provided Mental Health and Caregiving support

This role supports Supply & Demand Planning by strengthening the planning data foundation across SKUs, improving data consistency, reporting discipline, and analytical support.

The role operates at the intersection of data, systems, and planning execution, improving visibility, reducing manual effort, and supporting more stable and consistent planning processes.

This position supports accurate, consistent, and accessible planning data used across Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and S&OP processes.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Mathematics, or related STEM field preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in data analytics, supply chain analytics, or planning support roles
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be considered in lieu of some professional experience
• Experience supporting planning, S&OP, or operational decision-making environments strongly preferred
• SAP experience strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Technical Skills
• Experience supporting data-driven process or system improvements
• Experience working with data from multiple systems (e.g., ERP, spreadsheets, external sources) and integrating them into consistent datasets
• Advanced Excel skills (data structuring, modeling, controls)
• Experience with reporting and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)
• Experience with data automation and workflow tools (e.g., Power Automate)
• Ability to manage and validate large, complex datasets
• Professional Skills
• Strong attention to detail and data discipline
• Ability to manage recurring processes and deadlines
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Planning Data Structure & Consistency
• Maintain standardized datasets used across demand planning, supply planning, and reporting activities
• Coordinate data inputs between SAP, Excel, and PSI files, as well as planning and reporting tools, to reduce inconsistencies
• Validate data and support the resolution of discrepancies to minimize manual reconciliation
• Maintain documentation of planning data definitions, assumptions, and key inputs
• Support analysis of trends, risks, and performance gaps to improve planning and decision-making
• Integrated Reporting & Visibility
• Develop and maintain standardized reports and dashboards that consolidate data from multiple sources into consistent outputs for S&OE and S&OP discussions
• Reduce ad hoc reporting by establishing repeatable reporting processes
• Improve visibility and provide analytical insights into key planning drivers (forecast performance, inventory risk, supply constraints)
• Planning Process Support & Discipline
• Support planning cycles by ensuring data readiness, consistency, and alignment across tools
• Maintain version control of planning outputs to reduce conflicting plan versions
• Support documentation of planning assumptions to improve traceability and decision visibility
• Assist in reinforcing standard planning practices, including consistent use of data and reports
• Support definition, tracking, and maintenance of key planning KPIs (e.g., forecast accuracy, bias, inventory health, service levels, plan adherence)
• Support consistency of KPI definitions and reporting standards across the team
• Support the adoption of standardized tools, reports, and planning processes
• Tool Administration & Continuous Improvement
• Develop and maintain structured datasets and data models to support standardized reporting and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI), ensuring consistency across planning and decision-making processes
• Utilize data and analytical tools to generate insights and improve visibility into planning performance and risks
• Maintain planning tools, templates, and reporting structures to ensure consistent usage, version control, and reliable outputs across the team
• Identify and implement improvements to reduce manual work, including automation of data preparation and reporting processes
• Support enhancements to planning tools, data structures, and system workflows to improve efficiency, data consistency, and overall planning execution
• Planning Coordination Support
• Support coordination of planning activities across SKUs by ensuring consistent data, visibility, and alignment
• Assist in monitoring key planning exceptions and changes impacting demand and supply plans
• Provide structured data and analysis to support planning adjustments and decision-making
• Contribute to the execution of planning activities where additional coordination or analysis is required

80K-89K

Ajinomoto is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by state, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.