Director, Supply Planning - Advanced Planning Systems

Overview

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible. Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon. We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world, powering data centers, gaming platforms, cities, cars, and more.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies and platforms for business and consumers, including Western Digital®, G-Technology™, San Disk® and WD® brands. Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Note:

This description consolidates the role posting information and presents a concise summary of the opportunity.

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director, Supply Planning to lead our supply planning function, with a focus on leveraging Advanced Planning System (APS) platforms. This pivotal role will manage and optimize our global end-to-end supply planning processes, drive scenario planning, and ensure accurate demand translation within APS to support operational excellence and business growth. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in supply chain planning and extensive hands-on experience with APS Demand Planning and Scenario Management modules.

This position requires understanding of HDD manufacturing cycles, component dependencies (e.g., media, heads, actuators, PCBs), and the dynamics of data center, OEM, and channel markets.

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for the supply planning organization, aligning with overall business objectives and financial targets.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of supply planning professionals.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, forecast accuracy, inventory optimization, and service levels.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Supply Chain, IT, Sales, Marketing, and Finance for all APS related planning activities.

• Own the APS Demand Planning (DP) and Scenario Management modules
  , ensuring data integrity, system functionality, and user adoption.
• Oversee the translation of the consensus demand plan into supply signals and production/procurement plans within the APS environment.
• Develop and run complex What-If scenarios using APS to evaluate the impact of demand volatility, capacity constraints, new product introductions (NPIs), and external risks on the supply chain.
• Design, build, and maintain relevant planning APS Dashboards and Workbooks to provide real-time visibility and actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the IT/APS COE team on system enhancements, upgrades, and testing to maximize the platform's utility.

• Manage the generation of a feasible supply plan that balances demand requirements, production capacity, inventory targets, and financial objectives.
• Drive the Supply Review stage of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, providing clear direction on capacity utilization, inventory policy, and exception management derived from APS outputs.
• Establish and monitor key supply chain metrics (e.g., inventory turns, service level, forecast bias, constrained plan adherence) and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensure alignment between the long-range strategic capacity plan and the near-term operational plan generated in APS.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field.
• Master’s degree in Supply Chain/Industrial Engineering preferred.

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in supply chain planning within HDD, storage devices, or semiconductor/electronics manufacturing
  .
• Strong understanding of HDD manufacturing processes and component interdependencies.
• Extensive, hands-on experience with Advanced Planning Systems is mandatory, specifically with the Demand Planning,…