Sr. Project Specialist - Network Design

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Kohler Co. is seeking an experienced Project Specialist to enhance and develop Global Logistics Network design solutions for an international supply chain. We are a fast-paced, exciting, and growing organization in search of the most talented supply chain professionals. We "think BOLDY" to revolutionize a worldwide customer experience and fulfill our promise to a gracious living for our customer.

The successful candidate will lead the development of strategic network initiatives for our North American Distribution, Fulfillment and Inventory Operations. From inbound lead times to inventory placement, capacity management and site expansion. This candidate will think holistically about how to advance our US network. Strong candidates will have a history of success in network modeling, designing operational and information management processes, delivering tangible results, and turning ideas into reality with smart and effective solutions. This role requires a highly qualified professional capable of independently assessing a strategic design concept, pulling together information from a set of diverse stakeholders, and synthesizing a recommendation.

Project Specialist – Network Design is responsible for supply chain optimization scenario development and execution utilizing multiple data sources, demand/supply plans, network modeling tools as well as various proprietary tools developed by Kohler Co. The Project Specialist will be part of a project team and work collaboratively with Global Technical Center and Network Design analyst as well as field leaderships in high impact, high visibility initiatives involving distribution territory strategies, facility decisions, product stocking and profit maximization projects. This role also supports the development of new capabilities and scope of work for Supply Chain Design which involves discovery and creative problem solving anchored on heavy operational and financial data analytics.

Specific Responsibilities

• Developing strategic network models and optimization solvers that recommend the inbound strategy focused on lowering end-to-end costs and improving lead time.

• Develops and presents Network Plans, models, analytics and strategic options and recommendations to the Supply Chain and KBNA business leadership teams.

• Build scalable and complex supply chain models and processes to optimize supply chain strategies with the goal of delivering an excellent customer experience while balancing operating cost and asset efficiency.

• Optimizing worldwide flows of inventory, both existing and new, to achieve the highest levels of reliability, speed, and cost.

• Think holistically about cost, speed, and flows from origin nodes to destinations globally with a focus on diving deep into data and analytics.

• Demonstrate a high degree of originality and creativity when developing solutions to improve existing business processes within supply chain.

• Can deal with ambiguity and make independent decisions about what data and approach is best for the task at hand.

• Responsible for data sourcing, cleansing, analysis as required for each project.

• Documenting modeling approach, data sources, transformations, assumptions, and constraints.

• Complete execution of running model refresh/update queries and performing custom data collection/extracts for special projects.

• Responsible for interpreting output of optimization models including physical flows, operational metrics, and financial outcomes.

• Evaluating model output for errors and performing sensitivities to model assumptions/constraints.

• Create and deploy robust metrics and dashboards to enable tangible transformation.

• Communicating strategic recommendations in formal documents directly to executive-level sponsors to secure funding approval.

Skills/Requirements

• 5-7 years’ experience in Engineering/Operations/Distribution/Fulfillment, Program Management, and/or Logistics.

• Experience with network modeling tools (e.g.,Optilogic (Preferred) Llamasoft Supply Chain Guru), network optimization, and long-range planning.

• Experience with analytics and reporting tools (Power BI; Tableau).

• Experience in supply chain domains and related information systems — distribution/transportation, sourcing, planning, manufacturing, and inventory management.

• Retail industry experience (recommended).

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering, finance or related technical or quantitative field.

• MBA, MS, or PhD in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or Supply Chain Management preferred.

• Experience with large dataset mining tools and open-source programming tools (e.g., R, Python, HiveQL, Spark).

Critical Skills Required:

• Excels in communicating with individuals and groups at all levels of an organization.

• Knowledge of SAP.

• Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements.

• Experience owning program strategy, end to end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership.

• Ability to influence supply chain teams to take pro-active action to manage risks and recommend operations changes to address chronic process and system issues.

• Proven ability to problem-solve, drive change, and lead through influence and collaboration.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make things happen in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• A willingness to partner across all dimensions of Kohler Co. to influence, drive, and deliver change.

• Strong business acumen. Experience working with P&L data to drive bottom-line contributions.

• Attention to details, work organized, effectively prioritizes, and performs multiple tasks.

• Strong written and verbal communication within multiple level of organization.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of role.

Role is hybrid in Kohler, WI 2+ days per week

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-SM1

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $89,800 - $114,100. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.