Senior Manager, Labor Planning and Forecasting Distribution

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth

Job Description

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Senior Manager, Labor Planning and Forecasting Distribution. In this role, you will be responsible for providing financial support and guidance to the Supply Chain team, as well as visibility into the financial impacts of their decisions. The position also requires driving performance improvement within business units. In this role, you will become a trusted advisor to department heads by understanding their financial needs, building key performance indicators, providing relevant analysis, and supporting the decision-making process to achieve financial and operational objectives. The ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships is crucial for success. Ideal candidates also must possess a strong background in Finance and Supply Chain fields, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with business unit leaders 
• Actively manage the day-to-day payroll with distribution center management, including correspondence, ad-hoc requests, escalation and troubleshooting 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives, providing financial expertise and analysis during project planning and execution 
• Provide advice and recommendations on financial planning, budgeting/forecasting and operational strategies to align business units with organizational goals 
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs), prepare comprehensive financial reports and variance analyses, and analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks and opportunities 
• Drive reporting efficiencies by identifying and automating manual processes using technology. 
• Monitor a three, distribution center network workforce strategy and ensure employee staffing levels with the right skills at the right time are aligned for short- and mid-term needs. This position touches all aspects of workforce management within the distribution network.  
• Meets overall distribution operations financial objectives by forecasting labor requirements; participates in annual budget process; analyzing variances; initiating corrective action plans. 
• Develop and implement labor management system to analyze employee productivity for improved labor efficiency, control labor costs, and analyze trends for effective forecasting. 

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 2-4 years of workforce planning experience, preferably in a distribution center or manufacturing setting. 
• Excellent oral, written, and communication skills 
• Ability to multitask and work independently as well as with different (local) teams 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels 
• Strong quantitative, analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize large financial and distribution data sets from multiple sources into actionable insights 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), data manipulation, and Labor Management Systems (e.g., Manhattan, Blue Yonder, Korber, East Metrics) 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• Generous employee discount on products that make you smarter
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity m