Sr Manager, Planning

Your Career 

Palo Alto Networks is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to manage processes and systems across Demand, Portfolio Management, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE). This role will manage end to end processes for balancing demand and supply choices and has the accountability to assist and manage the identification and resolution of plan variances, inventory, cost and service optimization in alignment to the business objectives. The planning manager is expected to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with cross functional teams, such as GTM (Go To Market), Product Management, Supply Chain Program and Materials Mgmt, Logistics and Finance to reconcile top-down financial plans with the bottom-up operational plans.  The position will report to the Director, Planning.  

This role will also help drive the continuous improvement of the planning processes and frameworks (S&OP and S&OE), as well as contributing to special projects (including automation) and other supply chain and business strategy initiatives. 

We are looking for  a well-rounded individual who encompasses excellent analytical, communication, people and leadership skills with strong business and commercial acumen. They should be able to work under pressure and cross-functionally, to drive sound decision making with a result-oriented focus. They should also be able to quickly identify deviations from expected results and other disruptions and should be able to promptly lead their team to resolve any issues, fostering a high performance and engaged culture. This individual should also have excellent presentation skills.

Your Impact 

• Manage demand and portfolio management teams (including NPI and EOL) while driving optimization of a S&OP forecast that drives the manufacturing build plan and decisions for last time buys
• Develop monthly S&OP input (medium- or long-term demand plans), evaluate supply plans generated and inventory implications from it
• Drive continuous improvements in forecast and planning models/processes, planning systems, reporting, teams and processes
• Facilitate and lead continuous analysis around changing demand, supply performance and provide input to improvement initiatives to optimize inventory, reduce obsolescence across the network, while maintaining desired level of service levels for customers
• Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan, consensus supply plan and a final S&OP plan
• Ability to run and create new forecasting models based on statistical data to predict future demand and lead AI driven forecasting initiatives with the team
• Influence and collaborate with key partners in product management, sales, Go To Market, operations and finance and address input gaps as identified by forecast error, volatility review, supplier performance, supply constraints and other means
• Drive both S&OP and S&OE, work with relevant stakeholders and business leadership to discuss the potential risks and opportunities associated with changes to demand and the supply
• Ensure that demand and supply plans are shared/received at the level of detail and timing required by all customers and supply chain partners, with documented assumptions, to achieve the various business objectives
• Collaborate with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, GTM Promotions/Programs, and any other supply chain impacting strategies and be able to showcase sound business decision making aligned with company goals
• Partner with our contract manufacturer on key initiatives and also work with the supply planning lead to ensure the supply plan aligns with thresholds and expectations at their end
• KPI Management - Able to develop, manage and monitor KPIs around S&OP, S&OP, Supply Demand Planning and Inventory
• Ability to manage planning related activities to ensure smooth closure of quarter ends

Your Experience

• 10+ years of experience in demand/ supply role
• Thorough understanding of end-to-end planning and supply chain management
• Experience in using and improving systems (Planning Related)
• Proven people management experience 
• Knowledge of processes in sales, product management, finance and manufacturing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve KPIs like plan accuracy improvement, process adherence, inventory turns
• Proactive self-starter with ability to deal with changing priorities and environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), role requires presentations to executives
• Ability to develop relationships and work in a team environment
• Ability to lead automation projects for planning processes

The Team

The Operations Planning team at Palo Alto Networks is a cutting-edge, close-knit group responsible for managing processes and systems across Demand, Portfolio Management, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), and Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE). This team plays a crucial role in driving continuous improvement of planning processes and frameworks, facilitating continuous analysis around changing demand and supply performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the achievement of business objectives. If you're an experienced and knowledgeable individual with strong analytical and communication skills, consider joining our dynamic team and making a significant impact on our business strategy initiatives.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $118,000/yr to $191,500/yr. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here. 

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Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.