Supply & Transportation Planner

WOW BAO is hiring a SUPPLY AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNER for our team in Chicago! 

 Join the fastest growing Asian fast-casual food brand in the country! More than 20 years old, Wow Bao is a Chicago-based omni-channel brand that operates in several store fronts, as well as in over 700 virtual kitchens across the country. Our retail/CPG business is experiencing unprecedented growth with Wow Bao available in more than 6,000 grocery stores nationwide, and plans to expand into 12,000 by the end of 2024. Additionally, our portfolio includes airports, universities, hotels, hot food vending machines, and e-commerce.

 Equal Opportunity Employer

ABOUT WOW BAO:  

Wow Bao has always led the industry in innovation and while fusing delicious Asian Street Food with superior hospitality, we continue to meet our customers where they are. Our restaurant menu features rice bowls, pan-seared potstickers, dumplings, soups, and our iconic Bao – steamed hot Asian buns with a variety of savory and sweet fillings. We continue to expand our grocery line and in addition to several Bao flavors, we are introducing a variety of other products.

 Wow Bao is the only brand to be recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shaker. Ranked no. 1 in 2019 and 2022 and no. 4 in 2023, we are the only brand to have taken home the honor more than once. At Wow Bao, we believe that every day deserves a big, bold serving of WOW. We’ve made it our mission to shake up the industry and bring a fresh and exciting spin to the fast-casual experience.

 Wow Bao is poised for continued growth within all its verticals, as well as in the corporate setting. 

 WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING

Whether it’s our guests or employees, we put people first.  We strive to inspire, motivate, and  appreciate one another every day.  We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor.  We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

DESCRIPTION: The Supply and Transportation Planner determines manufacturing needs based on demand and lead time, schedules production of the company’s goods, and owns all transportation needs of Finished Goods to the customer.  

The Supply and Transportation Planner role is on-site in our Chicago (River North) office five days a week.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:(Other duties may be assigned as needed):

• Identifies optimal shipment and transportation routes with attention to cost, warehousing consolidation, and distributional efficiencies.
• Responsible for all inbound POs, to process POs, and distribute to necessary parties.
• Monitor service of outbound shipments at distributors (DOT, KeHE, UNFI, etc) and provide corrective actions if necessary.
• Monitor day-to-day order details via emails with suppliers.
• Manage Delivery-Only Kitchen Onboarding with broadliners (Sysco, PFG, US Foods etc.).
• Will act as main point of contact for the account management team for issues relating to delivery-only kitchens.
• Develops and maintains detailed inventories and supplies located in the distribution centers, offsite storage, and in production facilities. 
• Maintain demand planning models, using current locations and incorporating pipeline, to provide accurate purchase order quantities to ensure proper inventory flow.
• Work closely with the Senior Supply Chain Manager to establish performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of factors affecting the supply chain.
• Collaborates with other departments and stakeholders to identify and maintain resources needed to establish and provide an effective supply chain.
• Responsible for item set-ups and maintenance, internally and with distributors.
• Support in analyzing current inventories and procedures; suggest improvements to increase the efficiency of the supply chain and profitability for the company.
• Undertake additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to driving overall team success.
• Be available to assist and work during Wow Bao offsite events such as Lollapalooza and other events as needed.
• Multitask calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Follow all rules, policies, and procedures and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Other duties will be assigned as needed.

Additional Requirements:

• At least one year of experience in a similar relevant position in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), logistics or 3PL operations required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with vendors, suppliers, shippers, and customers. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong desire to grow Supply Chain knowledge and abilities.
• Self-starter who is not afraid to ask questions or lend a hand.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Benefits

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Restaurant Discounts and Employee Meals
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Employee Discount Programs
• Training, Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• We foster a culture of CARE
• Growth & transfer opportunities; we love it when people grow at Wow Bao!

Benefits eligibility varies based on things like position, hours worked, and length of service, and all benefits are subject to change, some of the benefits you might expect are listed above.