Supply Chain Planner

About the Company

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. It supports member retailers operating under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners. The company takes an innovative approach to wholesale business services, helping independent retailers stay competitive through technology, private label development, and strong procurement practices.

Role Overview

The Supply Chain Planner serves as a subject matter expert for assigned categories and items. This role takes a customer-first approach to ensure the right quantity and freshness are available at the right time while keeping supply chain costs under control. The position focuses on demand planning and fulfillment for complex categories within a responsive and agile supply chain, with the goal of improving sales and return on inventory. The planner also builds cross-functional partnerships to evaluate the end-to-end supply chain and improve speed, frequency, predictability, and cost efficiency. In addition, the role uses analytics to help resolve competing priorities and support better decision-making.

Knowledge and Skills

The role calls for a four-year degree in Business/Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related discipline. Strong forecasting ability is needed to help maximize inventory and financial outcomes. The planner should bring solid communication, facilitation, and analytical capabilities, along with familiarity with operations, computer systems, and business applications. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and Rapid is required. The candidate must also be able to produce clear and concise documents for both general and technical audiences, interview users to identify information needs, and manage several projects at once.

Key Responsibilities

• Examine system-recommended orders, resolve exceptions, and take appropriate action.
• Track the full purchase order lifecycle and step in early to address issues before they escalate.
• Spot risks within the lead-time window and build proactive plans to reduce customer impact.
• Review in-season and holiday product flow to meet demand while protecting return on investment.
• Use system-generated forecasts to improve shipment frequency and speed to market.
• Build, update, and negotiate supplier constraints as needed.
• Monitor and report on performance metrics such as service level, inventory turnover, sales, and gross margin.
• Manage a portfolio of VMI/co-managed suppliers.
• Create demand plans across multiple levels of aggregation and time horizons using historical sales trends.
• Lead cross-functional analysis to explain major variances and refine the pre-season forecasting model.
• Incorporate demand drivers such as pricing, weather, promotions, and substitution effects into in-season forecasts.
• Work with merchants, marketing, and suppliers to ensure forecasting inputs are current and accurate.
• Support merchant contract discussions by contributing volume-planning insights.
• Provide input that helps influence category manager supplier selection.
• Use forecast data to improve time to market and facilitate collaborative supplier meetings.
• Study transportation options and suggest alternatives that lower total supply chain cost.
• Partner with operations, suppliers, and merchants to improve efficiency across the business.
• Run supplier collaboration sessions focused on optimizing the end-to-end supply chain.
• Prepare daily and weekly reports for the team and peers as assigned.
• Communicate with operations teams and members when required.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit or stand at a computer for extended periods.
• Must be able to take part in retail store visits.
• Must be available to travel as needed.
• Must be able to meet the company’s requirement of four days in the office each week.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000. Final compensation depends on factors such as experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with company match and annual company contribution; paid time off; holidays; parental leave; wellness and family support programs; fitness reimbursement; educational and training opportunities through the corporate university; and a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Some benefits are fully or partially funded by the company and may depend on eligibility.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and the primary duties and qualifications expected. It may not include every responsibility that may be assigned. The company may update the description at any time and may assign additional tasks based on business needs, competitive conditions, or changes in the work environment. The role is considered an at-will position, which means employment may be ended by the company at any time, with or without cause. Any contrary verbal or written assurance should not be relied upon unless it is made in writing and signed by the Vice President of Human Resource. Reasonable accommodations may be provided when needed to allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.