Zepto - Senior Director - Planning (10-15 yrs)

About the job:

Our Story:

Zepto is a fast-growing startup unicorn that delivers groceries in 10 minutes flat through an optimized network of dark stores we're building nationwide! We're present in all Indian metros - Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata

We're incredibly well-funded and our investors include Y Combinator, Glade Brook, Nexus Venture Partners, and more! We've also built out one of the best startup teams in India, with Senior Executives from Uber, Zomato, Meesho, Flipkart, Dream11, and institutions like Stanford, INSEAD, IIM, and IIT.

Role Summary:

As the Planning Director, you will architect and drive a strategic framework for our planning operations. This role requires a forward-thinking leader who can balance daily operational excellence with a focus on scalable, resilient planning models to support growth. You'll oversee critical aspects such as inventory health, demand forecasting, capacity management, and supplier alignment, all while championing data-driven strategies that align with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand Forecasting & Market Insights

- Lead advanced FMCG forecasting initiatives, integrating market trends, consumer behavior insights, and data analytics

- Establish proactive forecasting processes that align with sales targets, market conditions, and product lifecycle stages to anticipate demand accurately.

Capacity Planning and Order Fulfillment Optimization (OPH)

- Build scalable capacity planning models that enable rapid response to shifting demand patterns and future expansion

- Set OPH performance standards, collaborating with operations to optimize throughput and operational agility.

Strategic Inventory Health Management

- Develop a long-term inventory health strategy that aligns with business expansion and seasonality demands

- Set and refine inventory metrics that drive optimal stock levels while reducing risk of stockouts and obsolescence across various categories.

Supplier and Procurement Strategy

- Oversee a strategic approach to indent and purchase order management, ensuring procurement processes support long-term growth and risk mitigation

- Build strong supplier relationships and sourcing strategies to foster supply chain resilience and agility, especially during high-demand periods.

Data-Driven Planning and Analytics

- Create a centralized reporting framework to deliver visibility across inventory, capacity, and demand metrics, informing strategic decision- making

- Use data insights to shape continuous improvement initiatives in planning accuracy, lead time reduction, and service level performance.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Influence

- Act as a strategic partner to supply chain, product, finance, and sales leadership, ensuring planning strategies align with broader business goals

- Drive alignment between planning and operational functions, fostering a cohesive, cross-functional approach to achieving market competitiveness

- Expertise in demand forecasting, supply chain analytics

Key Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Strategy, or related field (Master's preferred).

- 9+ years of experience in strategic planning, supply chain, or inventory management within a fast-growing FMCG, retail, or quick commerce environment.

- Expertise in demand forecasting, supply chain analytics, and planning software; experience with ERP systems.

- Proven track record of implementing scalable, strategic planning frameworks in dynamic, high-growth contexts.

- Exceptional strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Experienced in leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

Why Join Us?

Zepto is on a blitzscaling path unlike any other startup today. As the Director of Planning, you will play a critical role in shaping our platform's planning operations and elevating our user experience. The opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing unicorns in a forward-looking, innovative environment is rare, and we're offering strong equity to create lasting wealth as our company grows through a culture of collaboration and impact.