Distribution Planning Manager

Distribution Planning Manager

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Distribution Planning Manager in London, Ontario. This individual owns the planning and deployment of inventory from the manufacturing plants to the 3PL network for designated plants. The main deliverable is optimal deployment of inventory to maximize service level and minimize cost.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build the distribution forecast for each network location by aggregating customer-SKU level forecasts into a location-SKU level forecast based on the customer distribution map
• Develop a weekly replenishment plan to allocate production to establish the desired inventory coverage at each 3 PL location
• Ensure full truckload shipments to minimize deployment costs, create transfer orders in the ERP system and tender transfer loads out to carriers in liaison with the logistics team
• Adjust allocation plans and loads as required to respond to schedule changes, production attainment, unexpected customer demand and carrier availability
• Analyze daily shortages from each 3PL and advise the customer service team of root cause and date of availability for each SKU shorted, while helping the supply chain managers report major shortages at weekly service level call
• Review predicted shortage model to identify upcoming shortages and take action to mitigate by transferring stocks, expediting inbound shipments and other available options
• Work with the plant warehouse teams to ship out loads as quickly as possible after production, replenishing the network while keeping the plant freezers operating at or below capacity
  - Provide feedback to the sales teams in developing forecasts and dates of availability for out-of-stock products and new launches
• Support extension of business to new markets by handling requests for samples, documentation etc. in coordination with project management and marketing teams
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Four-year degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering
• CPIM, CSCP, or CLTD are a plus
• At least 6 years of experience in inventory, distribution, or logistics planning in a make-to-forecast manufacturing environment
• Preference for prior experience in CPG, food and beverage, or a similar fast-paced industry
• Excellent knowledge of supply chain concepts, tools, and processes with a focus on inventory management, load planning, distribution, transportation, and logistics
• Ability to understand and evaluate tradeoffs between service levels, speed, and cost and to recommend a course of action
• Expert Excel skills with ability to build models, dashboards, allocation plans and analyses with comfort using Vlookup, pivot tables, and other similar functions
• Experience with ERP systems and network planning/inventory management modules (Microsoft D365 a plus)

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.