VP Supply Chain - Strategic Planning at Ecolab

St Paul, Minnesota, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Supply Chain, ManufacturingIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
15+ years of progressive experience in supply chain leadership, with at least 5 years in strategic planning roles
Proven success in leading transformation initiatives and cross-functional teams
Strong analytical and financial acumen
Expertise in supply chain planning systems (e.g., SAP, Kinaxis)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to influence at all levels, including executive leadership and board
Preferred Certifications: APICS CPIM or CSCP; Six Sigma or Lean Certification

Responsibilities

Oversee supply planning processes to ensure optimal inventory levels, production scheduling, and capacity utilization
Collaborate with manufacturing, warehouse, and transportation teams to balance supply constraints with service level goals
Implement tools and processes to improve supply visibility and responsiveness
Lead demand planning efforts to ensure accurate forecasting and alignment with commercial strategies
Partner with sales, marketing, and finance to integrate market intelligence, new product launches, inventory builds, and promotional impacts into forecasts
Monitor forecast accuracy and drive continuous improvement through analytics and stakeholder engagement
Lead the development of multi-year supply chain strategies, including footprint optimization, capacity planning, and network design
Align regional plans with global supply chain objectives and corporate growth targets
Drive scenario planning and risk modeling to ensure agility and resilience
Work closely with the PMO team, manufacturing, and procurement to identify and execute sourcing strategies that reduce costs, improve reliability, and mitigate risk
Support supplier segmentation, dual sourcing, and localization initiatives
Oversee S&OP and demand planning processes to ensure alignment between commercial forecasts and supply capabilities
Partner with finance, commercial, and operations teams to build consensus on volume, inventory, and service
Champion digital transformation initiatives including AI-driven forecasting, advanced analytics, and automation
Identify and implement best-in-class practices for planning, inventory optimization, and supply chain visibility
Lead a team of planning experts across North America
Collaborate with manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and commercial leaders to ensure cohesive execution
Represent Ecolab in external forums and benchmarking efforts
Define and monitor KPIs for strategic planning effectiveness, including forecast accuracy, inventory, and service levels
Drive continuous improvement through root cause analysis and structured problem-solving

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Supply PlanningDemand PlanningS&OPInventory OptimizationProduction SchedulingCapacity PlanningNetwork DesignScenario PlanningRisk ModelingForecastingAnalyticsSourcing StrategiesSupplier Segmentation

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What are the minimum qualifications for the VP Supply Chain - Strategic Planning role?

A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field is required, with an MBA or advanced degree preferred, along with 15+ years of experience.

Is this a remote position or does it require office presence?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What leadership responsibilities does this role involve?

The role leads a team of planning experts across North America and collaborates with manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and commercial leaders.

What experience makes a strong candidate for this position?

Candidates with 15+ years of experience, an advanced degree, and expertise in supply planning, demand forecasting, strategic network design, and digital transformation in supply chain will stand out.