Fluence (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader delivering intelligent energy storage and optimization software for renewables and storage. Our solutions and operational services are helping to create a more resilient grid and unlock the full potential of renewable portfolios. With gigawatts of successful implementations across nearly 50 markets, we are transforming the way we power our world for a more sustainable future. For more information, please visit fluenceenergy.com.
Job Description:
Role Overview
The Vice President, Global Planning is responsible for leading the Company's end-to-end planning organization and ensuring the alignment of demand, supply, inventory, and capacity across the global enterprise. This executive owns the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), and inventory strategy to deliver a reliable and executable supply and inventory plan while optimizing working capital, capacity utilization, and supply chain performance.
Reporting to the Vice President, Global Program Management & Supply Chain, the Vice President, Global Planning is responsible for the enterprise planning function and execution of the company's Integrated Business Planning framework. The role works in partnership with Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Program Management, and Commercial teams but does not directly oversee those functions.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Enterprise Planning Leadership
- Lead the global Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
- Establish a single, integrated operating plan balancing demand, supply, capacity, inventory, service, and financial objectives.
- Drive executive decision-making through scenario planning, risk assessment, and data-driven recommendations.
- Facilitate monthly executive IBP reviews and ensure alignment across all business functions.
Supply Planning & Capacity Management
- Lead global supply planning processes to ensure alignment between demand, inventory, capacity, and financial objectives.
- Partner with Manufacturing to develop and maintain a level-loaded annual production forecast and capacity strategy.
- Develop contingency plans to address supply disruptions, capacity constraints, and changes in market demand.
- Ensure alignment between strategic growth plans and long-term supply network capabilities.
Demand Planning
- Lead the global demand planning process in partnership with Commercial, Product Management, and Regional Business Leaders.
- Establish forecast governance, demand reviews, and consensus planning processes.
- Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy and demand signal visibility.
- Develop scenario-based demand plans to support strategic and operational decision-making.
Inventory & Working Capital
- Own global inventory strategy and inventory optimization.
- Establish inventory policies, safety stock methodologies, and deployment strategies.
- Drive continuous improvement in inventory turns, days of inventory, and overall working capital performance.
- Balance inventory investment with customer service expectations and operational risk.
Capacity & Network Planning
- Lead capacity planning across manufacturing operations.
- Identify long-term capacity requirements and constraints.
- Support network optimization initiatives and footprint decisions.
- Provide planning support for new product introductions and strategic growth initiatives.
Annual Planning & Capacity Strategy
- Lead development of the annual supply, inventory, and capacity plan in support of the Company's budgeting and operating plan processes.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Procurement, Finance, and Commercial teams to develop a level-loaded annual production forecast that balances customer demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory objectives, and financial targets.
- Establish capacity assumptions and planning scenarios to support growth, working capital, and profitability objectives.
- Translate the annual operating plan into executable demand, supply, inventory, and capacity plans.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with:
- Global Manufacturing on capacity planning assumptions, supply planning alignment, and constraint management..
- Procurement on material availability and supplier capacity.
- Logistics on inventory deployment and distribution strategies.
- Commercial leadership on demand planning and customer priorities.
- Finance on financial forecasts, inventory investment, and working capital objectives.
Planning Excellence
- Establish best-in-class planning processes, governance, and performance metrics.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives within planning, including advanced planning systems, automation, AI, and analytics.
- Build organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
Organizational Scope
- The Vice President leads global teams responsible for:
Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
Demand Planning
Supply Planning
Inventory Strategy
Capacity Planning
Network Planning
Planning Systems & Analytics
Key Performance Indicators
- Forecast Accuracy
- Demand Plan Accuracy
- Supply Plan Adherence
- Inventory Turns
- Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)
- Working Capital
- Capacity Utilization
- Planning Cycle Time
- Executive IBP Effectiveness
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global supply chain planning, operations, or manufacturing.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise IBP/S&OP processes within a complex global manufacturing organization.
- Deep expertise in demand planning, supply planning, inventory optimization, capacity planning, and Integrated Business Planning.
- Experience leading large cross-functional organizations in a Fortune 500 or similarly complex environment.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience improving working capital and inventory performance.
- Experience implementing advanced planning systems and digital planning capabilities.
- Proven ability to influence executive leadership and drive enterprise-wide decision making.
Leadership Competencies
- Enterprise mindset with a focus on optimizing total business performance.
- Strategic thinker capable of translating long-term strategy into operational execution.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision maker.
- Collaborative leader who builds alignment across diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
- Change agent with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity.
Success Measures
Within the first 18 months, the Vice President will:
- Establish an integrated global planning organization that serves as the single source of truth for enterprise planning.
- Improve forecast accuracy and supply plan reliability.
- Reduce inventory while maintaining or improving customer service levels.
- Strengthen executive IBP governance and decision quality.
- Improve supply plan stability and planning predictability across the global supply network.
- Enhance working capital performance through optimized inventory and planning disciplines.
- Develop a high-performing global planning organization recognized for operational excellence.
Required Education
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field
- Master’s degree preferred
Our Culture
At Fluence, our culture is the foundation that drives our ambitious growth strategy and fuels our mission to transform the future of energy. Our core cultural pillars empower us to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose, ensuring we continue to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and the world.
Unleash Voices
We believe every voice matters. We encourage openness, active listening, and decisive action to create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to our success. We foster an environment where diverse perspectives are heard and valued, driving innovation and progress.
Customer Fluent
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to delivering exceptional value that exceeds expectations by understanding our customers' needs and adapting swiftly to meet them. Our deep focus on customer satisfaction drives us to continuously improve and innovate.
Infinite Impact
We are committed to creating the impossible. We push boundaries to deliver sustainable, game-changing solutions that shape a brighter, more energy-efficient future for all. Our team is passionate about making a lasting impact that will resonate for generations to come.
All In
We are all in for growth. Our teams are relentlessly focused on identifying and seizing opportunities that propel us forward. We embrace an ownership mindset, pushing ourselves and each other to accelerate progress and create lasting success.
Equal Opportunity Employer
At Fluence, we believe great teams are built on a collaborative and connected culture. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
Work Authorization
To join our team, you’ll need to be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout your employment, without the need for employer sponsorship. Please note that Fluence does not sponsor work visas for this position.