IBP Strategy & Transformational Lead

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly capable Inventory Transformation Process Leader to drive the evolution of our planning and execution ecosystem. This role blends deep systems expertise (SAP IBP) and supply chain systems expertise with strong business judgement and operational pragmatism.

 

 

The successful candidate will challenge existing planning processes and systems architecture, apply decision-ready data sets, and implement exception-based planning to enable faster, higher-quality decisions. This role is hands-on and outcome-driven, focused on turning data into action and planning into a true operational decision engine.

 

This is an exciting time to start this journey, providing the candidate the opportunity to blueprint and drive change. The successful candidate will bring in relevant industry experience, vision for continuous improvements, influencing ability to drive process and solution standardization, and collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve common goals, while delivering consistent and thorough deliverables as required.

 

The ideal candidate will be someone who challenges “how it’s always been done”, is highly analytical, is a hands-on-leader who is equally comfortable at the whiteboard and in system configuration. One who values practical outcomes over theoretical perfection, builds systems that support how people actually work and is capable of articulating plans and ideas with all levels of the organization.

 

Job Expectations:

 

Strategy & Business Transformation

• Partner with Supply Chain Operations, Finance, Merchandising, Marketing, and IT leaders to redefine and/or optimize end-to-end planning processes, including Demand, Supply, Inventory, and IBP/S&OP

• Translate business strategy into a clear, executable IBP and Inventory Optimization roadmap

• Challenge legacy processes, assumptions, and system designs to improve speed, focus, and decision quality

• Drive measurable business outcomes across service, inventory, cost, and agility

 

Decision Enablement & Exception-Based Planning

• Design and apply integrated, decision-ready data sets that align demand, supply, inventory, capacity, and financial views.

• Shift planning from calendar-driven review cycles to exception-driven workflows using clearly
  defined thresholds and tolerances.

• Ensure exceptions are actionable by defining:

• Business meaning

• Decision ownership

• Recommended actions and trade-offs

• Embed decision logic directly into IBP workflows to enable same-day or next-day decisions.

• Reduce planner effort by eliminating manual data preparation and focusing attention on the few critical issues that matter most.

 

SAP IBP & Systems Architecture

• Own the solution design and architecture for SAP IBP (Demand, Supply, Inventory Optimization, Response & Supply, and related capabilities).

• Configure SAP IBP to support daily and weekly operational decision cycles, not just monthly IBP cadence.

• Design alerts, dashboards, and planning views that clearly answer:

• What changed?

• Why does it matter?

• What decision is required now?

• Ensure tight integration between SAP IBP, SAP S/4HANA (or ECC), BW/HANA, and execution systems to support fast response and closed-loop learning.

• Balance SAP standard best practices with practical usability for planners and operators.

 

Data, Analytics & Applied Insights

• Apply forecasting, supply, and inventory analytics to prioritize action, not just improve model accuracy.

• Enable rapid scenario analysis and what-if simulations focused on real operational trade-offs (service vs. inventory, cost vs. speed).

• Partner with data and analytics teams to operationalize advanced models into repeatable, explainable decisions.

• Focus on speed to insight and decision clarity over analytical complexity.

 

Execution, Delivery & Adoption

• Lead or support IBP and SAP supply chain implementations, enhancements, and upgrades.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality, usable solutions.

• Define success metrics and ensure solutions deliver tangible, measurable business value.

• Drive adoption through training, governance, and continuous improvement.
  

Key Performance Indicators:

 

Decision Speed & Focus

• Decision latency (time from exception detection to decision)

• Exception aging (open exceptions beyond defined thresholds)

• Exception volume per planner (trend downward)

• % of alerts acted upon vs. ignored

 

Planning Effectiveness

• Forecast accuracy and bias at agreed aggregation levels

• Plan stability (week-over-week or cycle-over-cycle changes)

• Scenario cycle time (time to evaluate and decide)

• % of plans auto-approved vs. manually adjusted

 

Inventory & Service Outcomes

• Service level / fill rate

• Inventory turns and days of supply

• Excess and obsolete inventory

• Stockout recovery time

 

System & Adoption Health

• Planner touches per planning cycle

• Manual overrides as a % of total decisions

• Alert precision (true vs. false positives)

• Active user adoption and engagement rates
  

The duties and responsibilities described above may provide only a partial description of this position. Other duties and responsibilities not outlined in this document may be added as necessary or desirable, with or without notice.

 

Required Qualifications:

 

Technical and Functional Expertise

• Generally requires a minimum of ten (10) plus years of experience

• 5-7+ years of hands-on experience with SAP IBP, across multiple planning areas

• Strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA or ECC supply chain modules (MM, PP; APO experience a plus)

• Proven experience designing end-to-end planning architectures and integrations

• Solid understanding of data models, master data governance, and planning heuristics

 

Business & Leadership Skills

• Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations in complex, fast-moving environments

• Ability to connect system and data design choices directly to business outcomes

• Strong stakeholder influence skills, with the ability to align cross-functional teams

• Experience leading transformation initiatives, not just system implementations

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in retail, e-commerce, or high-SKU, high-velocity environments

• Proven track record of evolving organizations from basic S&OP to advanced IBP

• Exposure to hybrid planning landscapes (SAP and non-SAP tools)

• Experience supporting global or multi-region supply chains
  

What Success Looks Like

• Planners and leaders focus on decisions and exceptions, not data preparation

• Faster response to volatility with clear visibility into trade-offs and impacts

• Planning systems highlight issues early enough to act, with clear ownership and actions

• Measurable improvements in service levels, inventory health, and decision speed

• IBP is trusted as a daily operational decision engine, not just a planning calendar
  

Work Environment: The WFH environment is primary, office is optional. Other factors are:

 

• Hectic, fast-paced with multi-level distractions

• Professional, yet casual work environment

• Professional, private space for video meetings required

• Ability to work extended hours as required

 

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Staffing Agency Submission Notice
iHerb does not accept unsolicited 3rd party ("Agency") candidates. If you are an Agency, please send any requests to be considered as a supplier in our Vendor Management System to staffingvendors@iherb.com. Do not contact iHerb employees directly. If requested to work on a role, any Agency candidates would be presented through the internal recruiting organization.

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About iHerb
iHerb is on a mission to make health and wellness accessible to all. We offer Earth’s best-curated selection of health and wellness products, at the best possible value, delivered with the most convenient experience.

We’re the world’s largest eCommerce platform dedicated to vitamins, minerals, and supplements, and other health and wellness products. For more than 25 years, we’ve been making it simple for people all over the world to purchase the highest quality products. From supplements to skincare to grocery items, we ship over 50,000 products, from over 1,800 brands direct to our customers in 180+ countries.

Our vision is to become the #1 destination for health and wellness across the world.

With a passion for wellness and a mind for innovative solutions, iHerb team members share a vision for a healthier world that drives them each day. Our 5 Shared Values unite our global team:

Focus on the Customer · Empower Our People · Be Entrepreneurial & Pivot Quickly ·
Embrace Diversity & Inclusion · Strive for Simplicity

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iHerb Benefits
At iHerb, we are dedicated to offering programs designed to help our employees and their families stay healthy, live well, and plan for their financial future. Built on a strong foundation, our programs provide options and upgrades with flexibility, protection, and security in mind. For the comprehensive benefits list, visit www.iHerbBenefits.com. For our international team members, you may be eligible for benefits depending on the country where you are employed. The Talent Acquisition Partner/local HR representative will go over the benefits you are eligible for. 

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