Director of Supply Chain Commercialization and Demand Planning

About ZBiotics
At ZBiotics, we make genetically engineered probiotics that improve daily life. As a group of motivated, yet down-to-earth people, we are fueled by two things: a love for science and a commitment to being people-first. GMO products like ours, built to create benefits for people in their daily lives, are the future. As the first to market, we believe it's our duty to set a high bar for product quality, safety, and transparency for others to follow.

In 2019, ZBiotics launched Pre-Alcohol, the world’s first genetically engineered probiotic designed to break down the alcohol byproduct that leads to rough mornings after drinking. In 2024, we launched a genetically engineered probiotic drink mix, Sugar-to-Fiber, that creates fiber from the food you eat. This revolutionary product helps to improve the diversity of gut bacteria and overall gut health.

With a full line of genetically engineered probiotics in development, our team is growing. We’re looking for people as excited as we are to build this new category of consumer products. ZBiotics is headquartered in San Francisco, and backed by venture investors including Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, and Social+Capital, among others.

About the Role
The Director of Supply Chain Commercialization & Demand Planning will lead the supply chain process for new product commercialization, including contract manufacturer (“CMO”) and supplier sourcing. They will manage supply chain execution and relationships with internal and external partners. This role will oversee, coordinate, and optimize the Sales and Operations Planning (“S&OP”) process across all product lines and sales channels. 

Your Responsibilities
Demand Planning and Supply Chain Optimization

• Oversee and implement the monthly S&OP process to maintain high fill rates and manage inventory levels to target.
• Work with data and develop statistical forecast models for future inventory needs.
• Facilitate monthly demand forecast aggregation across different sales channels, taking into account input from marketing, sales, and operations teams.
• Review and analyze forecast demand versus actual demand, interpret changes and trends, and implement mitigation actions to prevent stockouts.
• Provide timely notice to the Marketing, Retail, and Supply Chain teams of significant forecast or capacity changes.
• Collaborate with production and procurement team members to resolve key supply-demand/service-cost issues.
• Oversee the supply chain implementation of new products and product lines.
• Manage the procurement of finished goods and new supplier development in collaboration with the Supply Chain Project Manager.

Cross-functional Leadership

• Collaborate with other departments such as Research & Development, E-commerce, Marketing, Retail, and Operations to ensure product readiness and seamless execution of product launch plans.
• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve launch schedules and key deliverables.

Risk Management & Problem Solving

• Proactively identify and address risks to product launch timelines or market acceptance.
• Mitigate challenges that could delay product launch or impact market performance, addressing all risk areas, including supply chain, manufacturing, shipping, technical support, and scaling.

Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency

• Enhance operational efficiencies throughout the new product launch process, collaborating with internal teams to streamline workflows, improve cost management and supply chains, and optimize resource allocation.

Team Leadership

• Assist the VP of Supply Chain to build, mentor, and lead the Supply Chain team.

Supply Chain Management

• Measure, control, and improve supply chain processes through clearly defined metrics.
• Lead and mentor supply chain team members to achieve company goals.

Experience must-haves:

• 10+ years' experience in S&OP, purchasing, and inventory management within a supply chain environment.
• Proven success in managing product launches, emphasizing cross-functional leadership and supply chain execution, including involvement in product and package development, manufacturing process review and validation, and start-up support and technical transfer of the commercialization process.
• 5+ years' experience in personnel management.
• Experience with ERP systems and/or IT systems for order management and fulfillment.
• Proven knowledge and application of S&OP methodology in a multi-product, multi-location environment.
• Prior experience in sales forecasting and demand planning.
• High proficiency in Google Sheets (or Excel, with willingness to build proficiency in Google Sheets).
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Experience nice-to-haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in product launch and commercialization in the CPG, Food, Pharmaceutical, or Biotech industries

This role is for you if...

• You are a leader and like working with leading companies and breakthrough technologies
• You have enthusiasm for wearing multiple hats and pitching in where needed (the start-up life)
• You embody the ZBiotics values of People-first, Integrity, Citizenship, and Science.
  • People-first - We always put people first, especially our customers
  • Integrity - We communicate honestly and deliver high quality always
  • Citizenship - We are inclusive and committed to doing what’s right
  • Science - We question our own assumptions and adapt to new data

Benefits
We believe in a life well-lived. ZBiotics offers competitive benefits for a life outside of work, including: health and dental insurance, 401(k) matching, a minimum PTO policy (with unlimited time off), 16 weeks fully paid parental leave, a home office stipend, transit benefits for those in the San Francisco Bay Area, full-time work-from-home policy (if desired), and access to co-working office space if located in or visiting San Francisco.

This position may be required to travel to attend occasional ZBioneers or external events.

The base salary for this position is $165,000 / year, and will include additional equity. 

We encourage you to apply...
At ZBiotics, we value our differences, and we encourage all – especially those whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in tech organizations – to apply.