European Drop Shipment , Sales & Operations Planning Manager (m/w/d)

If you are a professional looking for an opportunity to grow your career, this is an exciting opportunity to combine people leadership with strategic and analytical supply chain management in a highly visible role. As the leader of the European Drop Shipment team, you will be responsible for developing and coaching team members while driving operational excellence across the region.

This position requires a strong analytical mindset and the ability to independently evaluate complex demand, supply, and business data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

You will play a critical role in transforming complex data into actionable business insights, leveraging advanced analytics, digital technologies, and AI-driven solutions to influence decision-making, improve forecasting accuracy, optimize supply chain performance, and support product lifecycle management.

As the European representative within a global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) environment, you will collaborate with senior stakeholders across functions and regions to drive continuous improvement, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.

• Lead, coach, and develop the European Drop Shipment team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Own and continuously enhance the European Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, providing regional insights to support global planning and decision-making.
• Act as a key analytical business partner, independently evaluating demand, supply, market, and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Drive forecasting excellence by monitoring forecast accuracy, analyzing demand patterns and business drivers, and implementing actions that improve planning effectiveness and business performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to address demand and supply imbalances, optimize inventory, and improve service levels.
• Support and advance planning capabilities through the implementation and adoption of forecasting, reporting, and analytics tools.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, and digital technologies to optimize planning processes, improve forecast quality, and drive operational performance.
• Lead product lifecycle and portfolio optimization activities, including phase-in, phase-out, product substitution, and inventory strategy initiatives to support business growth and minimize obsolescence risks.
• Prepare and present insights, analyses, and recommendations to business leaders, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across the organization.

You are an analytical leader who enjoys working with complex data and transforming information into actionable business recommendations. You are curious about emerging technologies and have a strong interest in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics to improve business processes, generate insights, and enable better decision-making. You are comfortable independently investigating problems, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions in situations where answers are not always obvious.

At the same time, you are a people leader who motivates, coaches, and develops team members while creating an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You effectively balance strategic thinking, operational execution, and stakeholder management to deliver sustainable business results.

For This Role, You Will Need:

• Experience in supply chain, operations, planning, scheduling, engineering, business operations, or a related environment.
• Previous experience leading, developing, and coaching employees or teams in a planning, operations, supply chain, or related environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Strong interest in utilizing AI-powered tools, digital solutions, and advanced analytics to enhance planning, forecasting, and operational decision-making.
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions and working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency using Excel and other analytical tools to support business decision-making.
• Experience with ERP systems and business planning processes.
• Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to build productive relationships and work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart:

• Experience supporting demand forecasting, demand planning, or S&OP processes.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, industrial products, or valve technologies.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI.
• Experience using AI, generative AI, machine learning applications, or advanced analytics solutions to support business, supply chain, or planning activities.
• Familiarity with Oracle, Demantra, or similar planning and ERP platforms.
• Experience leading or supporting change management initiatives.
• Additional language capabilities, including German, are beneficial.
• Experience managing product lifecycle activities, portfolio optimization, or inventory strategy projects.

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.

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