Manager of Business Planning

Hickory Farms has been bringing delight to every occasion since our founding in 1951. With on-trend design, expertly-curated flavors, and premium ingredients, our gifts are the perfect way to deliciously celebrate birthdays, corporate events, and special moments. Founded in Toledo, Hickory Farms relocated to Chicago in 2017 to be closer to our dedicated suppliers and distribution center. Now, our gourmet food gifts are found in a variety of pop-up stores and kiosks throughout North America during the holiday season, as well as in leading mass merchants, supermarkets, and on hickoryfarms.com year-round. In 2021, Wicked Good Cupcakes joined our family, bringing the Shark Tank sensation into even more celebrations nationwide. The original cupcake in a jar has decadent flavors and a unique presentation, making these treats perfect for weddings, events, and birthdays. We’re proud to bring people together with our gifts of great taste.

We are ready to hire for a newly designed role of Manager of Business Planning.

The Manager of Business Planning reports to the Sr. Director, Business Planning, and will be responsible for managing the company's sales and operations planning process, which involves creating and executing plans that optimize the production, inventory, and distribution of goods fulfilled out of the company’s facility based in Richmond, CA.

This role is onsite and based in our Richmond, CA facility.

The key priorities that will be led by the person in this role include:

• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to develop and maintain a daily production plan that optimizes labor, inventory consumption and ensures product is assembled and ready to ship to customers on time and in full.
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, and Operations to develop and maintain an accurate sales demand forecast.
• Monitor and report essential changes to sales forecasts, business strategies, and budgets.
• Support company management with risk assessment and activities to help mitigate the risk and propose and implement solutions that accurately improve demand forecasts.
• Monitors sales performance to optimize inventory consumption, minimizing short-life inventory across channels.
• Partners with the Procurement and Operations teams to plan and manage inventory transfers between distribution centers.
• Monitor the overall situation, including incoming orders, supply chain problems, market changes, and inventory issues, to minimize the impact on production.

Qualified candidates must bring experience and skills that include:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to help identify issues and bring resolution.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook is essential.
• Experience using Microsoft D365 Finance & Operations ERP is beneficial.
• Adaptability - this is a new position, and the business is always changing. The candidate needs to be a critical thinker that can adjust processes and analyses as circumstances change or new information arises.
• Solid understanding of supply chain and inventory management practices and procedures.
• Capability to multitask in a fast-paced, highly seasonal environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Team player and leader who can work effectively with other functions and bring potential solutions to stakeholders for action.
• Cultural fit who embodies the company’s core values

Our Values lead the way. They are: The customer is our focus. Integrity and respect. We own it. Everyone has a place at the table. We embrace change. We savor the journey together.

We provide a wide variety of competitive benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) matching, product discounts, as well as the opportunity to work with smart, talented people who are team centric.