Supply Chain Director

We are currently undergoing significant changes within our supply chain networks to enhance our customers experience and ensure we are able to deliver best in class customer support. In order to meet our objective of and achieve new levels of success, this person must be an experienced supply chain leader passionate about continuous improvement, network optimization and customer satisfaction, taking true ownership for the logistical needs of the Performance Solutions division at Vantage.

More specifically, there are great opportunities for improving the warehouses footprint with a key focus on reducing lead times, enhanced inventory management and reduction of SMOG. You will partner with procurement, production and customer service to create greater alignment and improved data availability. Additionally, this leader will create and deliver a vision that drives the division’s supply chain team forward to support our business objectives and priorities.

To meet these goals and objectives we are searching for a highly capable, experienced leader in supply chain, preferably with chemical manufacturing expertise, capable of driving the needed changes across the function. You will directly impact the overall success of the organization by ensuring alignment and partnership with key stakeholders, establishing best-in-class practices, ensuring alignment with business unit objectives, and fostering value-added activities throughout the sites. This role demands a strategic leader who can also execute tactical plans with precision.

The work completed in this role will have a lasting impact on the future of the global organization. This position is truly pivotal, capable of drastically impacting the business and shaping the future success of the organization. Reporting to this position includes Supply Chain Managers located at the core manufacturing sites, including locations in Chicago Illinois, Gurnee Illinois, and a remote team supporting the global footprint.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and Implement Supply Chain Strategies: Drive the creation and execution of comprehensive supply chain strategies to optimize efficiency, cost, and quality across the organization.

• Logistics Network Optimization: Leverage the global warehousing network to ensure agile execution that meets customer needs, reducing lead times and improving shipping costs.

• Demand Planning & Inventory Management: Connect demand planning and inventory management to the business to ensure timely production and delivery of products.

• Supplier and Vendor Management: Oversee and ensure the team is aggressively negotiating and managing contracts with suppliers, vendors, and logistics providers to secure favorable terms and ensure a reliable supply of materials and services.

• Integration with Business Functions: Integrate supply chain processes with other business functions, including sales, marketing, finance, and production, to align objectives and enhance overall operational performance.

• Advanced Analytics and Tools: Implement advanced analytics and supply chain management tools focused on process improvements in areas like demand forecasting, inventory management and network optimization.

• Sustainable Practices: Develop and maintain sustainable and ethical practices, ensuring compliance with legal standards and corporate social responsibility commitments.

• Risk Management: Ensure sufficient risk management efforts across supply chain, including developing contingency plans to mitigate the impact of disruptions, shortages, or other unforeseen challenges.

• Continuous Improvement: Demand innovation and improvements throughout the team in all areas of the business, ensuring that CI is part of the function’s key focuses.

• Customer Service Excellence: Drive to have best in class customer responsiveness and proactive communication, ensuring the customer is delighted at every interaction.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Expertise Required:

This person will be a skilled leader with subject matter expertise in supply chain management. They will have an intense passion for continuous improvement and process optimization. They come with a hyperfocus on the key objectives and an unwavering approach to execution. As we pride ourselves on being a solutions provider to our customers, being agile and adapting to changing needs is an essential ability. They must be able to inspire, direct, and support their team in a matrixed environment and work collaboratively with all levels of the organization. They know at the end of the day; their success will be measured by the results. They are not afraid to speak up and share insights and have a clear understanding of industry’s best practices and are capable of successful implementation. In all they do, they preach safety, environmental, and community stewardship and recognize that we will never sacrifice safety for the bottom line. While driven and tenacious, they also recognize that we will always operate ethically and with great integrity.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in supply chain within manufacturing with progressively increased responsibility, including leadership management; Chemical processing manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

How we will Evaluate Fit:

Through the evaluation process you will be able to demonstrate your technical expertise, business acumen and display your strong critical thinking skills. You will do this through multiple avenues including interviews to assess your technical and cultural fit, completion of a behavioral based assessment, and present to a panel your findings and recommendations from a case study, share a key accomplishment from your career that directly relates to this position and showcase a particular skill you have that you will be able to use to enhance and meet specific needs of Vantage. Through these steps you will be able to demonstrate a 360-degree view of who you are and why you are the best candidate for the position, while also gaining great insights into the Vantage culture and ways of doing business.

Pay and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is:  $160,000 - $240,000 annually.  Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location.  This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive program.

Vantage offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical, HSA, dental, vision

• FSA (limited purpose, dependent care, and commuter/parking)

• Life and AD&D insurance

• Accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• EAP, identity theft protection

• Paid time off, Parental Leave

• 401(k) with company match

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantage is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. 

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in eleven countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you will be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt, and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We are convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results, and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence, and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you are going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.