Director of S&OP

The Director of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) is a senior leadership role responsible for aligning demand, supply, inventory, and the corresponding financial plan across the organization. This role bridges Commercial and Operations, translating market intelligence into executable production and purchasing plans that ensure superior customer service, optimized inventory investment, and achievement of financial objectives.

As a member of the leadership team, this individual provides forward-looking visibility into revenue, supply capability, capacity constraints, and inventory risk. The Director owns the integrity, execution, and continuous improvement of the S&OP process while collaborating with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain.

This role directly impacts customer fill rates, forecast accuracy, inventory health, and the company’s ability to scale efficiently. Based out of our Neptune City, NJ facility, this position is onsite five days per week and will require travel to our Monroe Township, NJ facility on an as-needed basis.

Measures Of Success

S&OP Strategy & Executive Leadership:

• Develop and lead the company’s S&OP strategy, aligning demand, supply, and financial objectives.
• Own and facilitate the monthly S&OP cycle, including Demand Review, Supply Review, and Executive Consensus.
• Provide leadership-level visibility to risks and opportunities related to service, inventory, capacity, margin, and revenue.
• Present forward-looking business insights at leadership and corporate review meetings.
• Translate unit forecasts into revenue and income projections to support annual budgeting and rolling financial planning in partnership with Finance.
• Develop dashboards and report forecast accuracy, demand volatility, inventory turns, and service metrics.

Demand Planning & Forecasting Excellence

• Oversee demand planning across multiple channels (retail, e-commerce, distributor, etc.).
• Manage statistical forecasting systems and baseline forecast generation.
• Incorporate market intelligence from Sales, Marketing, customers, and distributors into consensus forecasts.
• Lead formalized discussions resulting in an 18-month rolling consensus demand plan.
• Identify forecast gaps versus the financial plan and drive corrective action.
• Continuously refine forecasting strategy and improve forecast accuracy.
• Support new product and promotional demand planning to ensure successful execution.

Supply Planning & Operational Alignment

• Align demand plans with production scheduling, purchasing, and materials strategy.
• Partner cross-functionally to identify and resolve supply gaps during the S&OP cycle.
• Develop contingency plans and scenario analyses to mitigate supply and demand risks.
• Ensure demand and supply plans drive efficient production and purchasing execution.

Inventory Management & Controls

• Own overall inventory strategy, balancing service levels with working capital efficiency.
• Ensure inventory accuracy, transaction integrity, cycle counts, and physical inventory processes.
• Manage excess and obsolete inventory risk in conjunction with Sales and Marketing.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, financial controls, and audit requirements.
• Optimize inventory levels to support customer growth while protecting financial objectives.

Qualifications

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in S&OP, demand planning, supply planning, or inventory leadership within a CPG manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven success driving cross-functional S&OP processes and executive consensus.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, MRP, and planning software.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with BI tools such as Power BI preferred.
• Demonstrated experience improving forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory turns.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with operational depth.
• Executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Skilled facilitator of cross-functional alignment.
• Process architect with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day execution.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented CPG environment.

Benefits Package & Employee Programs

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Free Life and Disability Insurance.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401 (k) with a 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to thousands of free online courses.
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
• Referral Program with a cash bonus.
• Access to on-demand pay.
• Paid parental leave.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands, including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin®, and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.