Laurie P. - Senior Manager, Global Supply and Operations Planning

Professional Overview

Laurie P. is a seasoned supply chain and operations planning professional with over 15 years of experience in driving strategic supply chain optimization across the manufacturing and consumer goods industries. As the Senior Manager of Global Supply and Operations Planning and the S&OP Business Process Owner at First Solar, she is responsible for leading the company's supply and demand planning initiatives, ensuring alignment between production, inventory, and customer requirements.

Experience Summary

Current Role

In her current role at First Solar, Laurie is the S&OP Business Process Owner, overseeing the development and implementation of the company's sales and operations planning (S&OP) strategies. She is responsible for integrating global supply and demand planning efforts, optimizing inventory levels, and improving forecast accuracy to meet customer commitments. Laurie's leadership and process improvements have contributed to significant reductions in supply chain costs and enhanced the company's ability to respond to market volatility.

Career Progression

Prior to joining First Solar, Laurie held several supply chain and planning roles at notable organizations, including Global Demand Planning Manager at Rogers Corporation, Demand and Supply Planning Manager at Arizona Nutritional Supplements, and Integrated Supply Chain Planning Manager at HENKEL (The Dial Corporation). Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a track record of driving operational efficiencies, implementing data-driven decision-making processes, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives.

Academic Background

Laurie holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management from the University of Arizona. She has also completed various supply chain and operations planning certifications, further enhancing her expertise in the field.

Areas of Expertise

Demand and supply planning

Sales and operations planning (S&OP)

Inventory optimization

Supply chain process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

Data analysis and forecasting

Professional Impact

Laurie's impact on the organizations she has served is evident through her contributions to streamlining supply chain operations, improving forecast accuracy, and driving cost-saving initiatives. She has played a pivotal role in implementing advanced planning and scheduling systems, leading to increased efficiency and responsiveness within her respective organizations.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience, strong technical capabilities, and strategic mindset, Laurie P. is well-positioned to continue driving transformative supply chain solutions and contributing to the success of First Solar and the broader manufacturing industry.