Global Process Owner - Integrated Business Planning (m/w/d)

The Global Process Owner (GPO), Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is responsible for designing, deploying, governing, and continuously improving the end-to-end planning processes that support the company's global Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) business. This role serves as the global business owner for Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and related planning processes enabled through SAP IBP, SAP S/4HANA, and associated planning technologies.

The successful candidate will combine deep supply chain planning expertise with strong business acumen and proven experience implementing and scaling SAP IBP and MRP capabilities across complex manufacturing environments. The role will ensure planning processes, systems, governance, master data, analytics, and organizational behaviors are aligned to support business growth, operational excellence, and supply chain resiliency.

This individual will act as the bridge between business stakeholders and technology teams, translating business requirements into scalable planning capabilities while driving adoption, utilization, and measurable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Global Process Ownership

• Serve as the global business process owner for Integrated Business Planning (IBP), S&OP, demand planning, supply planning, inventory planning, and MRP processes.
• Define, document, and govern global planning standards, process flows, policies, and controls.
• Establish a scalable planning operating model that supports global manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Maintain process governance frameworks, KPIs, roles, responsibilities, and operating rhythms.
• Ensure alignment between demand, supply, inventory, manufacturing, procurement, and fulfillment processes.

SAP IBP Ownership & Deployment

• Lead deployment, optimization, and governance of SAP IBP across global operations.
• Own business requirements for Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Optimization, Response & Supply, and S&OP capabilities within SAP IBP.
• Drive standardized utilization of SAP IBP processes, workflows, analytics, and planning methodologies.
• Partner with IT and system integrators on roadmap development, enhancements, testing, and system releases.
• Ensure SAP IBP capabilities are fully adopted and delivering measurable business value.

MRP & Planning Process Excellence

• Establish global standards for MRP configuration, planning parameters, replenishment strategies, and planning governance.
• Drive improvements in material planning effectiveness, inventory performance, and supply responsiveness.
• Develop governance around planning master data including lead times, planning strategies, safety stock, sourcing rules, and planning calendars.
• Improve planning stability and decision-making through enhanced planning policies and controls.
• Lead initiatives that optimize system-generated planning outputs and reduce manual interventions.

Business Transformation & Change Management

• Lead planning process transformation initiatives supporting business growth and operational maturity.
• Drive cross-functional adoption of standardized planning processes.
• Develop training programs, playbooks, and governance mechanisms to ensure sustainable process compliance.
• Facilitate organizational change management activities during system deployments and business transformations.
• Act as a trusted advisor to planning, operations, procurement, and executive leadership teams.

Analytics & Performance Management

• Define planning process KPIs and performance reporting frameworks.
• Establish measurement systems for forecast accuracy, plan attainment, inventory performance, capacity utilization, and service levels.
• Develop executive dashboards and planning analytics in partnership with business intelligence teams.
• Perform root cause analysis on planning performance gaps and drive corrective actions.
• Provide executive-level insights and recommendations on planning effectiveness and business performance.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Procurement Operations, Manufacturing, Order Fulfillment, Finance, Commercial Operations, and IT organizations.
• Lead global process councils and planning governance forums.
• Align system capabilities with evolving business requirements and strategic objectives.
• Support M&A integration, new site launches, network expansion, and operational scaling initiatives.
• Drive end-to-end process integration across the entire supply chain planning ecosystem.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, Information Systems, or related field.
• Minimum 10-12 years of progressive supply chain experience with significant focus on planning processes, systems, and transformations.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading SAP IBP deployments, implementations, or large-scale optimization initiatives.
• Proven experience implementing and governing MRP processes within SAP S/4HANA or equivalent ERP platforms.
• Demonstrated success driving planning process transformation across global manufacturing organizations.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
  • Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
  • Demand Planning
  • Supply Planning
  • Inventory Planning
  • Master Production Scheduling
  • Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Experience managing cross-functional global projects and stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), renewable energy, electronics, industrial manufacturing, automotive, or engineered products industries.
• SAP IBP certification or equivalent advanced planning system expertise.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA planning and supply chain modules.
• Experience leading global ERP or planning platform deployments.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, or equivalent certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud, and advanced planning analytics platforms.

Key Competencies

• SAP IBP Leadership
• MRP Process Design & Governance
• Supply Chain Business Acumen
• Global Process Ownership
• Business Transformation & Change Management

Our Culture

At Fluence, our culture is the foundation that drives our ambitious growth strategy and fuels our mission to transform the future of energy. Our core cultural pillars empower us to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose, ensuring we continue to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and the world.

Unleash Voices

We believe every voice matters. We encourage openness, active listening, and decisive action to create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to our success. We foster an environment where diverse perspectives are heard and valued, driving innovation and progress.

Customer Fluent

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to delivering exceptional value that exceeds expectations by understanding our customers' needs and adapting swiftly to meet them. Our deep focus on customer satisfaction drives us to continuously improve and innovate.

Infinite Impact

We are committed to creating the impossible. We push boundaries to deliver sustainable, game-changing solutions that shape a brighter, more energy-efficient future for all. Our team is passionate about making a lasting impact that will resonate for generations to come.

All In

We are all in for growth. Our teams are relentlessly focused on identifying and seizing opportunities that propel us forward. We embrace an ownership mindset, pushing ourselves and each other to accelerate progress and create lasting success.