Director of Distribution Strategy & Analytics

Description:

Colours, Inc. is a leading distributor of automotive and industrial coatings, providing high-quality products, training, and service to customers across the region. We pride ourselves on reliable delivery, technical expertise, and a commitment to helping our customers succeed.

Position Summary:

The Director of Distribution Strategy & Analytics is responsible for leading and optimizing Colours, Inc.’s end-to-end distribution planning strategy while building and managing a high-performing data analytics function. This role integrates demand planning, inventory management, purchasing, and distribution strategy with advanced analytics to drive informed decision-making and operational efficiency.

The Director will partner closely with division leaders and executive leadership to improve forecasting accuracy, optimize inventory investment, and enhance overall supply chain performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the overall supply chain planning strategy to support operational efficiency, service levels, and business growth.
• Oversee demand planning, supply planning, inventory optimization, replenishment strategies, and product allocation across all company locations.
• Lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP/SIOP) process, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, supply capabilities, and financial objectives.
• Drive network optimization initiatives, including warehouse utilization, distribution flow improvements, and inventory positioning.
• Establish and lead the Distribution Strategy and Analytics function, including data governance, reporting structures, and performance measurement frameworks.
• Develop and implement predictive models, simulations, and advanced forecasting tools to improve demand accuracy and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Design, implement, and maintain dashboards and KPIs that provide real-time visibility into supply chain performance and key business metrics.
• Analyze complex datasets to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost reduction, service improvement, and process optimization.
• Build, lead, and mentor a team fostering a high-performance, culture.
• Translate analytical insights into clear, actionable recommendations for cross-functional stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Partner with Sales to incorporate market intelligence and customer demand signals into forecasting and planning processes.
• Collaborate with Finance to align supply chain strategies with financial goals, including cost control, margin improvement, and working capital optimization.
• Work closely with teams to enhance ERP functionality, planning systems, and data infrastructure.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across supply chain operations, including forecasting accuracy, inventory control, and distribution efficiency.
• Standardize processes and implement best practices to improve scalability, consistency, and operational performance.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, improve quality, and drive sustainable performance improvements.
• Communicate key risks, opportunities, and performance insights effectively to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Requirements:

• Strategic planning and thinking with strong execution capability
• Operational leadership
• Strategic thinking with strong execution capability
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical mindset
• Leadership and team development
• Cross-functional collaboration and influence
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Strong communication and executive presence