Director, Supply & Demand Planning at AUI Fine Foods

About Albert Uster Imports

Albert Uster Imports, Inc. (“AUI”) is a privately held gourmet food company headquartered in the Washington, DC area (Gaithersburg, MD) with warehouse locations in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gurnee and Gaithersburg. AUI falls under the Vestar Capital Partners portfolio with affiliate organization, Roland Foods, LLC.

Founded in 1968, the company offers over 1,400 products from around the world. We serve leading hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise lines, airlines, and manufacturers with innovative, high quality products and solutions to their most demanding culinary challenges. We operate a network of distribution centers across the U.S. and serve select international markets as well. AUI has a national direct selling organization of over 60 sales professionals and a staff of culinary experts (chefs and food scientists) adept at custom product solutions.

About The Role

AUI Fine Foods is seeking a strategic and analytical Director, Supply & Demand Planning to lead our supply & demand planning, inventory management, and global logistics functions. This role ensures consistent product availability across a diverse, multi-category food portfolio while maintaining efficient inventory levels across multiple U.S. distribution centers.

The Director will oversee a team comprising Buyers, an Inventory Manager, and a Global Logistics Manager, aligning purchasing, inventory, and logistics operations under a single cohesive strategy. The ideal candidate will have a food industry background (preferably food distribution or multi-category), with strong experience in demand planning, multi-location distribution, and supplier management.

This leader must be data-driven, highly analytical, and a strong problem solver who can translate complex supply chain dynamics into actionable insights and clear communication for executive leadership.

As a response to the pandemic, Albert Uster Imports office employees have transitioned to a hybrid working schedule, requiring employees to report in-person Monday through Wednesday, with the option to telework on Thursday and Friday each week. Due to the collaborative, cross-functional nature of the organization, employees at the Gaithersburg office are required to work in-person for the abovementioned days, outside of any People & Culture-approved disability accommodation request.

Responsibilities

Supply & Demand Planning

• Lead and continuously improve the company’s supply and demand planning process to ensure product availability across all categories and U.S. distribution centers
• Partner with Sales, Logistics, and Finance to translate forecasts into purchasing and replenishment strategies
• Analyze demand patterns, seasonality, pricing and lead times to adjust plans and prevent out-of-stock or excess inventory proactively
• Develop reporting tools and dashboards to monitor forecast accuracy, inventory turns, and service levels
  
  

Purchasing Leadership

• Oversee all purchasing activities, including domestic and import procurement, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with business needs
• Manage and develop a team of Buyers responsible for replenishment and product transfers between multiple distribution centers
• Partner with the Innovation team to build supplier relationships to ensure reliability, quality, and consistency across a diverse food product portfolio
  
  

Inventory Management

• Direct and support the Inventory Manager to maintain optimal stock levels and minimize waste or obsolescence
• Establish and track KPIs around inventory health, fill rates, and forecast performance
• Drive cross-functional coordination to improve visibility, planning accuracy, and service performance
  
  

Global Logistics Oversight

• Directly manage the Global Logistics Manager, who oversees international container shipments, import compliance, and customs clearance
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight of inbound freight, import documentation, and delivery timelines
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of global logistics processes to support decision-making and problem resolution
• Ensure alignment between logistics, purchasing, and inventory to maintain product flow and service reliability
  
  

Leadership, Analytics & Reporting

• Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing, inventory, and logistics teams to foster accountability, accuracy, and professional growth
• Serve as the organization’s primary problem solver for supply continuity, supplier performance, and planning issues
• Develop and present clear, data-driven reports and insights to executive leadership to guide business decisions
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and communication across functions
  
  

What You'll Bring

• Strategic thinking supported by strong analytical capability and attention to detail
• A collaborative, data-driven approach to solving complex operational challenges
• Leadership that combines accountability, clear communication, and team development
• Deep understanding of the food industry’s unique supply and demand dynamics
  
  

Required

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• 8+ years of progressive supply chain, purchasing, or demand planning leadership experience
• Proven success in the food industry (preferred: food distribution, multi-category, or multi-location distribution)
• Strong analytical, forecasting, and reporting skills with a focus on data accuracy and decision support
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing buyers, inventory, and logistics teams
• Excellent problem-solving and cross-functional communication abilities
• Highly organized, precise, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  
  

Preferred

• Experience with ERP systems and demand planning software
• Knowledge of import logistics, customs, and international shipping
• Proficiency with advanced forecasting or analytics tools
• Ability to build cross-functional partnerships, and engage in and lead cross-functional teams and initiatives
• Strong ability to develop and deploy quantitative analysis for business improvement; record of accomplishment of KPI-driven and data-driven leadership
  
  

SALARY RANGE

Albert Uster Imports hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of the Company. One of the ways AUI does that is through a competitive compensation package. The base salary for this role will be $135,000 - $165,000.

This role will be bonus eligible.

Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the Company will determine at its sole discretion, the salary offered.

Founded by immigrants, AUI & Roland Foods knows that diversity is the spice of life. We believe in the power of food to open minds, spark adventure, and bring diverse people together. All are welcome at our table! We know the transformative value of food in individual lives and communities. Because of this, we insist on obtaining the highest-quality ingredients and talent!

AUI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. AUI considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. AUI is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

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