We are seeking a Senior Manager of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to lead the evolution of our global planning processes. This role is pivotal in aligning cross-functional teams across Sales, Product, Finance, and Operations to ensure accurate forecasting, optimized inventory, and scalable systems that support our rapidly growing storage hardware and software portfolio . The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in process design, systems integration, and continuous improvement , with a strong background in hardware planning and supply chain orchestration .
Key Responsibilities:
S&OP Strategy & Leadership
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Lead the global S&OP process, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, product roadmap, and financial targets.
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Facilitate monthly executive S&OP reviews, driving consensus on demand forecasts, supply plans, and inventory strategies.
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Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Finance to translate business goals into actionable operational plans.
Process & Systems Management
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Design, implement, and continuously improve scalable S&OP processes that support Cohesity s hybrid hardware/software business model.
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Own the planning systems roadmap, including integration and optimization of tools such as SAP IBP, NetSuite, Anaplan, and Tableau .
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Drive automation and digitization of planning workflows to reduce cycle times and improve forecast accuracy.
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Establish and maintain robust governance, KPIs, and reporting frameworks to monitor performance and drive accountability.
Forecasting & Demand Planning
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Lead the development of short- and long-term demand forecasts for storage hardware, collaborating closely with Sales, Channel, and Product teams.
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Analyze historical trends, market intelligence, and sales pipeline data to improve forecast accuracy and responsiveness.
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Support scenario planning and risk mitigation strategies to ensure supply continuity and customer satisfaction.
Hardware Supply Planning & Inventory Optimization
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Collaborate with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, and Procurement to ensure supply plans align with demand signals and capacity constraints.
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Optimize inventory levels across global distribution centers to balance service levels, lead times, and working capital.
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Support new product introductions (NPIs) and end-of-life (EOL) transitions with robust planning and execution frameworks.
People Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence
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Lead and develop a high-performing team of planners and analysts.
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Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
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Influence cross-functional stakeholders to adopt best practices and drive alignment across the organization.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
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Champion Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile methodologies to drive process improvements and eliminate inefficiencies.
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Lead initiatives to enhance data quality, improve forecast accuracy, and increase planning agility.
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Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in supply chain and S&OP.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
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Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA or Master s preferred).
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14+ years of experience in S&OP, supply chain planning, or operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
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Proven experience in hardware planning , preferably in high-tech, enterprise storage, or networking industries.
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Experience in scaling S&OP processes in fast-growing, global organizations.
Technical & Functional Skills
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Expertise in planning tools such as SAP IBP, NetSuite, Anaplan, or Kinaxis.
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Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, SQL, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
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Deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, inventory optimization, and demand forecasting techniques.
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Familiarity with hybrid business models (hardware + SaaS/subscription) is a strong plus.
Leadership & Soft Skills
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Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and decision-making skills.
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Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management abilities.
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Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Preferred Certifications:
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APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent.
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Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
