Position

Head of Sales & Operations Planning

Company

The company is mainly engaged in the design, development and production of knitted and woven garments such as activewear, yoga wear, swimwear and cycling etc.

Location

Ningbo, China

Report to

Group President

Job Summary

The client is seeking a highly analytical and results-driven Head of Sales & Operational Planning to lead the end-to-end S&OP process across their global operations, including their manufacturing facility and external supplier network. This role is responsible for aligning demand planning, supply planning, and inventory management to optimize business performance and customer satisfaction in the dynamic athletic apparel market.

Regular travel required (30-40%) to manufacturing facilities and supplier locations.

Responsibilities

Ÿ   Strategic Planning

Ÿ   Develop and execute the company's S&OP strategy, ensuring alignment between sales forecasts, production capabilities, and inventory targets.

Ÿ   Participate in developing annual and longer (three-year) business targets, strategies, and annual operating plans.

Ÿ   Lead weekly/monthly S&OP meetings with cross-functional stakeholders, including Sales, Marketing, Finance, Production, and Supply Chain.

Ÿ   Drive continuous improvement of the S&OP process, incorporating best practices and technological innovations.

Ÿ   Manage and develop a team of demand and supply planning professionals.

Ÿ   Sales Operational Planning

Ÿ   Optimize production planning across the Longson facility and external supplier network.

Ÿ   Develop and implement sales operational strategies aligned with business goals.

Ÿ   Lead demand planning, sales forecasting, and inventory optimization to balance supply and demand.

Ÿ   Develop and dynamically adjust monthly/quarterly production plans based on customer orders, capacity constraints, and raw material availability to achieve OTIF (On-Time, In-full) targets.

Ÿ   Chair cross-departmental meetings to resolve cutting, sewing, finishing, quality control, and logistics bottlenecks.

Ÿ   Monitor production progress, identify risks of delays, and implement contingency plans (e.g., capacity reallocation, subcontracting).

Ÿ   Data Analysis & Reporting

Ÿ   Analyze sales trends, market data, and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks.

Ÿ   Generate actionable reports for senior leadership, highlighting KPIs and ROI of initiatives.

Ÿ   Analyze factory capacity utilization and propose strategies to balance workloads across the year.

Ÿ   Collaborate with procurement to manage fabric and trim inventory levels, minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.

Ÿ   Utilize tools (e.g., ERP, CRM, BI platforms) to automate reporting and improve data accuracy.

Ÿ   Process Improvement

Ÿ   Translate market demand into actionable production schedules, reducing lead times and improving responsiveness.

Ÿ   Identify bottlenecks in sales operations and design solutions to enhance efficiency.

Ÿ   Standardize workflows for order management, pricing, and logistics coordination.

Ÿ   Lead digital transformation projects to modernize planning tools and systems.

Ÿ   Optimize production scheduling to reduce changeover times and labor waste, contributing to cost reduction goals.

Ÿ   Define and track KPIs (e.g., production efficiency, order fulfillment rate) to identify gaps and implement corrective actions.

Ÿ   Budget & Risk Management

Ÿ   Oversee sales operations budgets and resource allocation.

Ÿ   Mitigate risks related to demand volatility, supply chain disruptions, or market shifts.

Ÿ   Cross-Functional Collaboration

Ÿ   Partner with procurement, production, logistics, and sales teams to plan for material requirements, including specialized performance fabrics, technical materials, fabric, and trims.

Ÿ   Facilitate S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) meetings to ensure consensus on forecasts and budgets.

Ÿ   Coordinate with suppliers to ensure alignment on production schedules and capacity requirements.

Ÿ   Team Leadership

Ÿ   Mentor and manage a team of analysts/planners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Ÿ   Define clear roles, set performance targets, and conduct regular reviews.

Ÿ   Establish cross-functional collaboration frameworks to enhance communication and problem-solving efficiency.

Ÿ   Performance Management & Analytics

Ÿ   Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the S&OP process.

Ÿ   Create executive-level reporting on supply chain performance, inventory levels, and forecast accuracy.

Ÿ   Develop scenario planning capabilities to address potential supply chain disruptions.

Requirements

Ÿ   Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration or related field; MBA preferred.

Ÿ   10+ years of planning experience in garment manufacturing, with sales operations, supply chain planning, or a similar role. Including 5+ years in a leadership role. Experience in sportswear or the outdoor apparel industry is preferred.

Ÿ   In-depth knowledge of end-to-end garment manufacturing processes (fabric sourcing to finished goods delivery), including cutting, sewing, and finishing operations, familiarity with sustainable practices (e.g., small-batch production).

Ÿ   Proven experience in S&OP, demand forecasting, and inventory management.

Ÿ   Advanced proficiency in production planning and data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, etc) and hands-on experience with ERP systems.

Ÿ   Excellent cross-functional communication and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions under pressure.

Ÿ   Strategic mindset with a focus on process optimization and forward-looking planning.

Ÿ   Fluent in English (written and spoken) and Mandarin.