At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic supply chain planning and drive digital transformation in a dynamic toy industry.
- Company: Join Jazwares, a leading global toy manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work schedule, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture that values creativity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced world of toys while shaping future play experiences.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in supply chain leadership, preferably in consumer goods or toys.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 € per year.
As the Vice President of Supply Chain Planning you will be the strategic, data-driven, hands-on leader responsible for the end-to-end execution of dynamic demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply-side risk mitigation. Tasked with leading a digital and structural transformation, this role will re-organize the Planning Department to support rapid scaling. The primary objective is to synchronize market demand signals with global production schedules, ensuring responsiveness to the trend-driven nature of the toy industry characterized by heavy peak seasons and key retail moments.
What You Will Do:
- Lead the monthly Forecast alignment process, bridging the gap between Top-Down sales targets (by brand/retailer) and Bottoms-Up item-level sales forecasts.
- Develop a formal Actioning protocol to investigate and resolve discrepancies between both sales forecasts by partnering with Sales Leadership to review latest POS performance, customer on hand (on water, in distribution centers, in store) inventory levels, forecasted ladder planning, safety stock positioning, supply chain, and related inputs to ensure proper Sales and Operating Planning process.
- Manage Global Demand Planners to refine rolling bottoms up forecasts and scenario planning to respond to real-time demand shifts, supply constraints, and retailer commitments.
- Establish and maintain a disciplined planning calendar aligned to development milestones, production lead times, and retail line reviews.
- Collaborate with Asia Production Control Team to convert the reconciled demand plan into actionable production purchase orders (POs), ensuring factory capacity is reserved and utilized efficiently.
- Oversee inventory flow, allocation, replenishment, and approve inventory production requests from Sales and Demand Planners.
- Proactively identify at-risk inventory and collaborate with Sales to create exit strategies (promotions/markdowns). Minimize excess and obsolescence risk, particularly for licensed, seasonal, and trend-driven assortments.
- Operate as the Demand Planning lead for one of our Big 3 accounts (Walmart, Target, or Amazon) to learn the business and familiarise with existing processes and opportunities.
- Deliver monthly and seasonal performance report highlighting risks and opportunities across sales forecasts alignment, inventory liability, and margin.
- Develop and track KPIs including forecast alignment, accuracy, inventory ROI, and inventory liability risk.
- Action any sales chase opportunities identified by the Sales and Business Intelligence Teams. Communicate opportunities to Asia team in a format that will allow them to verify production and tooling capacity.
- Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, systems, tools, and analytical capabilities.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Demand and Inventory Planning team.
What We Are Looking For:
- 10–15+ years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain, or Integrated Business Planning (IBP), with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Director or VP level).
- Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), ideally within the toy, fashion, or electronics industries - anywhere characterised by extreme seasonality and short product lifecycles.
- Demonstrated experience in building or restructuring a planning department, including hiring talent, defining workflows, and implementing best-in-class planning procedures.
- Experience managing high SKU counts (1,000+) and significant annual revenue (e.g., $100M+), particularly with high-volume US retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
- Deep expertise in Top-Down/Bottoms-Up reconciliation. They must be able to walk into a room of Sales VPs and use data to challenge overly optimistic forecasts without damaging relationships.
- Ability to leverage statistical modeling and predictive analytics to improve baseline item-level forecasts.
- Must be a Hands-on Leader - willing to dive into a pivot table or a factory production schedule on Monday, and present a 3-year strategic roadmap to the C-Suite on Tuesday.
- Exceptional ability to lead teams through process changes, specifically moving from siloed planning to consensus planning. Change management experience a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Integrated Business Planning, Finance or related field required; MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and manage through competing priorities.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provides the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
What we offer:
- The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply.
- Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.
- Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes a Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave.
- Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects.
Working at Jazwares
At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.
- Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
- Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
- Humility: We recognise the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let’s shape the future of play together!
JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.
Who We Are
Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and Adopt Me™. In addition to toys, offerings include virtual games, costumes, and pet products. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries.
VP, Supply Chain Planning in Glasgow employer: Jazwares
At Jazwares, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and creativity in the toy industry. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering flexible schedules, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for community engagement through Jazwares Cares. Join us in our Plantation, Florida headquarters, where you can lead transformative supply chain initiatives while enjoying a supportive environment that values passion and humility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Supply Chain Planning in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the supply chain and toy industry. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in demand planning and inventory optimisation. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you're keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website, express your interest, and share how your expertise aligns with their needs. It shows initiative and could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your data-driven decision-making skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used analytics to improve forecasting and inventory management. The more confident you are in your numbers, the better you'll impress those interviewers!
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Supply Chain Planning in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in demand planning and supply chain management. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a VP, you'll be leading teams and driving change. Use your application to demonstrate your hands-on leadership style and any successful transformations you've led in previous roles. We love seeing examples of how you've built and mentored high-performing teams!
Be Data-Driven:Since this role is all about data-driven decision-making, make sure to include specific metrics and KPIs from your past experiences. We want to see how you've used data to improve forecasting accuracy or optimise inventory levels—numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jazwares
✨Know Your Numbers
As a VP of Supply Chain Planning, you'll need to be data-driven. Brush up on key metrics like forecast accuracy, inventory ROI, and sales alignment. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive decisions and improvements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a hands-on leader who can manage teams through change. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through process transformations or restructuring. Highlight your ability to mentor and build high-performing teams.
✨Understand the Industry Trends
The toy industry is fast-paced and trend-driven. Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the market. Be prepared to discuss how you would synchronise market demand signals with production schedules, especially during peak seasons.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around demand shifts and supply constraints. Think of specific scenarios where you've had to act quickly to mitigate risks and how you communicated those strategies to stakeholders.