About Lantronix
Lantronix Inc. is a global leader in Edge AI and Industrial IoT solutions, delivering intelligent computing, secure connectivity, and remote management for mission-critical applications across defense, industrial, and enterprise environments. Our expanding platform—spanning embedded compute, AI-enabled networking, PoE infrastructure, and edge software—enables real-time data processing and autonomous decision-making at the network edge. We power next-generation applications including robotics, smart cities, intelligent security, and NDAA-compliant unmanned systems.
Job Summary
The Director, Integrated Planning & Operations is a senior operations leadership role responsible for translating global sales signals into executable supply plans across Lantronix’s fully outsourced CM/ODM manufacturing base in Asia. This role owns the end-to-end demand planning cycle, drives rigorous S&OP discipline, and leads strategic sourcing initiatives that reduce cost, compress lead times, and protect supply continuity. A primary mandate is eliminating end-of-quarter loading behavior by instilling smooth, data-driven demand shaping throughout the quarter.
The Director leads a team of planning specialists and the US Warehouse & Logistics operation (Minnesota), and works in close partnership with the Director of Supply Chain (Asia-based CM/ODM execution) to ensure demand signals flow cleanly into supply commitments. This role is a critical bridge between commercial teams and operational delivery.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Demand Planning & Forecasting
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Own the global demand plan — consolidate and reconcile inputs from regional sales teams, Product Management, and Finance into a single, statistically-grounded demand signal.
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Develop and maintain multi-horizon rolling forecasts (12–18 months) with appropriate granularity by product family, channel, and region.
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Establish forecast accuracy KPIs and drive continuous improvement; hold commercial stakeholders accountable for forecast quality.
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Lead demand sensing and signal analysis to identify trends, risks, and upside opportunities before they materialize as supply surprises.
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Champion in-quarter demand smoothing — actively manage bookings pacing, backlog health, and order patterns to prevent end-of-quarter loading.
S&OP Process Leadership
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Own and facilitate the monthly S&OP cycle end-to-end: Demand Review, Supply Review, Pre-S&OP, and Executive S&OP.
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Develop standardized S&OP materials including executive-ready dashboards, exception reports, and scenario analyses.
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Drive consensus between Sales, Finance, and Operations on the final production plan; escalate unresolved gaps to VP Operations.
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Deliver meaningful management updates at the Executive S&OP — surfacing risks, constraints, and recommended tradeoffs with clear financial impact.
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Continuously improve S&OP process maturity; target progression from reactive to proactive to predictive planning posture.
Production & Inventory Planning
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Translate the approved demand plan into production orders and material pull signals in coordination with the Director of Supply Chain and Asia CM/ODM partners.
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Manage inventory targets and stocking policies by SKU — balancing working capital efficiency against service level commitments.
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Monitor and manage excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory; develop mitigation plans for aged or at-risk inventory.
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Establish planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, min/max levels) in coordination with Supply Chain and Finance.
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Drive Lantronix toward best-in-class inventory turns (5–8x target) from current levels.
Strategic Sourcing
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Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for key commodities (semiconductors, modules, electronic components, contract manufacturing capacity) in coordination with the Director of Supply Chain.
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Develop and execute sourcing strategies that improve cost, reduce lead times, and build supply resilience — including dual-sourcing, China+1, and regional diversification where applicable.
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Lead RFQ/RFP processes for new components and manufacturing capacity; own negotiation strategy for strategic supplier contracts.
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Partner with Engineering and Product Management on NPI sourcing, BOM cost modeling, and component selection.
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Monitor tariff landscape (US-China, US-Taiwan, US-Thailand) and develop supply base strategies to mitigate exposure.
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Maintain supplier market intelligence across key commodity categories; provide regular risk and opportunity briefs to VP Operations.
Team Leadership & Development
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Directly manage and develop a team of planning specialists (Production Planning Specialist, Demand Planning Specialist) and the Sr. Manager, Global Logistics overseeing the Minnesota-based Warehouse & Logistics team, with expectation to build team capability and capacity over time.
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Set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and conduct formal reviews.
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Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making within the planning team.
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Partner with VP Operations to develop longer-term team structure and capability roadmap.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
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Serve as the primary planning interface between global Sales, Finance, and Operations — translating commercial dynamics into supply chain action.
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Collaborate closely with the Director of Supply Chain to ensure demand plans are executable and supply constraints are reflected upstream in the demand signal.
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Engage proactively with Asia CM/ODM partners on capacity planning, lead time management, and ramp schedules.
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Provide VP Operations with regular reporting on forecast accuracy, plan attainment, inventory health, and sourcing performance.
Supervisory Responsibilities
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Accountable for planning and directing all aspects of the operations of a major program or functional area.
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Works to influence others in company to accept new practices, concepts, and approaches in a major functional area.
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Directly manage and develop a team of planning specialists (Production Planning Specialist, Demand Planning Specialist) and the Sr. Manager, Global Logistics overseeing the Minnesota-based Warehouse & Logistics team, with expectation to build team capability and capacity over time.
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Set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and conduct formal reviews.
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Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making within the planning team.
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Partner with VP Operations to develop longer-term team structure and capability roadmap.
Education & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
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10+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, S&OP, and/or strategic sourcing within a hardware, electronics, or IoT product company.
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Demonstrated experience owning and facilitating a formal S&OP process across commercial and operations functions.
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Experience working with Asia-based CM/ODM or EMS partners (China, Taiwan, Thailand preferred).
Qualifications & Skills
Required qualifications and skills include, but are not limited to:
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Hands-on demand planning expertise: statistical forecasting, forecast accuracy management, safety stock modeling.
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Strategic sourcing experience: RFQ/RFP management, supplier negotiation, commodity strategy, BOM cost analysis.
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Strong proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and planning/analytics tools (Excel, BI platforms).
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Excellent cross-functional communication skills — ability to present to executives and hold commercial teams accountable for forecast inputs.
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Proven track record of reducing E&O, improving turns, and driving cost savings in a constrained-supply environment.
Preferred qualifications and skills include, but are not limited to:
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MBA or advanced degree.
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APICS CPIM or CSCP certification.
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Experience with tariff mitigation strategies (Section 301, USMCA, HTS classification).
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Background in NPI sourcing and supply chain readiness.
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Familiarity with IoT, embedded computing, networking, or Edge AI product categories.
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Experience with China+1 sourcing strategy and geopolitical supply risk management.
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Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management system as it pertains to supplier and planning processes.
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Salary range: $130,000–$200,000 USD annual base salary, depending on experience, skills, qualifications
