Manager, Planning Excellence

We are rebel watchmakers with a purpose. Established in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company, we took a traditional European watchmaking and layered American industrial ingenuity on top. That is when we began our journey to disrupt a 300 year-old industry. Timex took mantle clocks made from wood and made them out of metal and made them faster and affordable for everyone. We took the pocket watch, added a strap, and put it on your wrist. Today our design lab in Milan designs the most beautiful watches for consumers around the world. Come join our team, make a difference, and wear watches from Timex and some of the biggest brands in the world.

**This role is hybrid and requires 2 days a week on-site in our Shelton, CT office. Remote candidates will not be considered**

Summary

The role is focused on reducing manual workload, automation of planning routines, building robust synchronized processes & scalable planning capabilities through technology, analytics, continuous improvement projects and change management within Demand Planning organization, while partnering across other Supply Chain functions, Finance, IT, Commercial to improve business planning process (Forecast Accuracy, S&OP, OTB) advance planning maturity and digital transformation. You will be expected to:

• Assess current reporting & data flows, remove non-value added work, streamline data structure – to increase transparency, data accuracy, clean standards for operational excellence and decision-making frameworks.
• Identify process gaps & inefficiencies in planning routines - design and execute automation (leveraging existing Planning systems as well as PowerBI, Advance Excel, AI – in collaboration with IT and Projects) 
• Become subject matter expert – providing technical support to all Demand Planners, train them to use newly implemented tools, reapply best practice across other Planning areas.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Performs thorough analysis of existing process, data sources, information – in line with existing priority/project list for the Department & develops necessary technical solutions to improve efficiency/fix gaps
• Learns business need behind existing reporting/planning tools and continuously analyze potential ways to automate and improve efficiency of data and outputs – executing approved ways of automation & ensuring seamless transition w/o disruption to core process
• Demonstrates good judgement in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Computes metrics involving complex issues, develops and implements proper KPIs/metrics as needed.
• Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise, working collaboratively and sharing knowledge with the team.
• Resolves complex technical issues and provides on demand support to the Org in scope.
• Recommends process improvements ideas to leadership. Assists in driving change as needed.
• Drive seem-less & faster communication between planning teams – replacing touchpoints with better data visibility and automated information flow. 
• Ensures planning routines coherence, governance standards, documentation & regular training and upskilling of Planning Organization (including exploring existing systems capabilities and teching how to use them) 
• Proactively manages potential roadblocks for adoption (change management) & risk mitigation
• Partners with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with Business Planning and OTB process needs 
• Represents Planning in transformation workshops and governance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, or related field; MBA/ Master degree a plus
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in supply chain, planning, data science or project management roles
• Broad knowledge of Planning functions and processes including S&OP/S&OE, Order Management & Planning Tools (Oracle, Logility, Demantra)Strong written & verbal communication skills, demonstrated ability to drive change through influencing others.

• Comfortable bringing structure to ambiguity and turning raw ideas into well-formed, governed initiatives.
• Strong bias toward action, experimentation, and continuous learning.
• Result-oriented, recognizing that maturity improvement is a continuous journey, not a one-time event.
• Technical proficiency: especially Advanced Excel (macros), SQL, Python and applying AI to automate.

• Experience in performance management, governance, and creating clean reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to detangle complexity to clean basic concepts and logic.
• APICS (CPIM, CSCP, or CPF), Lean Six Sigma, or Project Management certification is a plus. 

In addition to our wide product offering, Timex Group offers the following benefits:

• 401K
• Robust Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Generous Company Holidays/Vacation
• Extended Sick and Personal
• Hybrid Remote Office Policy
• Summer Fridays all year long!
• Parental Leave Policy

Timex Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.