INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITY
Senior Consultant, Operations and SIOP
Food & Beverage Manufacturing | 12-16 Week Engagement | 100% Client Site (FL)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Consultant with deep expertise in Sales, Inventory, Operations Planning (SIOP) to support a client engagement in the food & beverage manufacturing sector. This is a 12-16 week independent contractor engagement, with potential for extension depending on client needs. The ideal candidate brings hands-on SIOP leadership experience in a high-velocity, perishable goods environment and is ready to make an immediate impact.

What You’ll Do

You will work directly with the client’s senior leadership and cross-functional teams to stabilize and strengthen the SIOP process during a critical operational period. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and facilitate the SIOP cycle, integrating demand, supply, inventory, and financial planning into a cohesive consensus process
• Develop unconstrained demand forecasts and consensus demand plans using statistical algorithms tailored to high-volume, short-shelf-life products
• Align production schedules with demand signals, manage raw material lead times, and optimize capacity utilization including seasonal volume peaks
• Build and refine inventory strategies that balance service level targets with waste minimization and working capital efficiency for perishable goods
• Conduct scenario modeling and “what-if” analyses to assess the impact of supply disruptions, promotional activity, and new product launches
• Leverage ERP (SAP preferred), BI tools (Power BI), and demand planning software (SAC implementation in progress) to drive data-driven decision-making
• Bridge the gap between volatile consumer demand, perishability constraints, and production capacity, translating complexity into actionable plans
• Communicate clearly with executive stakeholders, translating supply chain dynamics into business impact and risk

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Background
• 7+ years of progressive SIOP, demand planning, or supply chain leadership experience, ideally within food & beverage manufacturing
• Demonstrated expertise across retail distribution, food service, and grocery channels
• Prior experience at the Manager level or above leading cross-functional SIOP processes
• Track record of operating in environments with perishable or short-shelf-life product portfolios
• Consulting or project-based engagement experience a plus

Technical Skills
• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Proficiency in statistical forecasting methodologies and consensus demand planning
• Supply & Capacity Planning: Hands-on experience aligning production with demand and managing raw material lead times
• Inventory Optimization: Deep understanding of perishable goods inventory dynamics and waste/spoilage mitigation
• Technology: SAP (strongly preferred), Power BI, and demand planning tools; familiarity with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) a plus
• Scenario Modeling: Ability to build and present “what-if” models for executive decision support

Certifications
• APICS/CPIM certification strongly preferred
• CSCP or equivalent supply chain credential a plus

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You…

• Are a practitioner-level SIOP expert who can step in quickly and drive results without a lengthy ramp-up period
• Are comfortable navigating ambiguity and competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Communicate complex supply chain dynamics clearly to both operational and executive audiences
• Bring a collaborative, no-ego approach to working with client teams
• Are detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger business picture

About Synergetics Worldwide

Synergetics is a boutique management consulting firm headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, specializing in operational transformation, technology enablement, and change management. We serve clients across the food manufacturing and consumer goods sectors, partnering with leadership teams to solve complex operational challenges and deliver measurable results.

Engagement Details

• Type: Independent Contractor (1099)
• Duration: 12 weeks, with potential for extension
• Location: Client site as needed (FL -100%)
• Compensation: Competitive daily or hourly rate, commensurate with experience
Synergetics is an equal opportunity employer and contractor partner. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We use E-Verify for FTE verification of I9.