About this opportunity
Ulta Beauty, Inc. lists this Sr Manager SC Optimization opportunity in bolingbrook, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
OVERVIEW
Imagine . With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and a thriving supply chain network, there has never been a greater need for people of high initiative, of big-picture thinking, and adaptability to share in our journey. At Ulta Beauty, we have greater ambitions . Growing what works. Iterating in areas that have promise. Creating new offerings for industry advantage.
In all of this is the opportunity to experience real impact, to effectuate change, to give wings to a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism. Because the challenges are multi‑faced and ever‑changing. But for those inspired by real‑world demands that press and stretch, that call for new and smarter ideas, that require heavy doses of trust and respect, Ulta Beauty encourages you to imagine with us.
THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:
The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Optimization is a strategic leader within Supply Chain Planning & Compliance (SCP&C), responsible for designing and advancing initiatives that protect margin, enable growth, and improve the scalability of the supply chain. This role leads supply chain continuous improvement (CI) and cost optimization efforts by building and managing a disciplined pipeline of ideas that progress from concept to pilot, implementation, and realized savings.
In addition, this leader partners cross‑functional to develop strategic concepts that shape the future of the supply chain. This includes supporting enterprise priorities such as B2B strategy, international expansion enablement, new fulfillment concepts, and product flow. The role focuses on framing complex problems, evaluating trade‑offs, and translating analysis into clear, executive‑ready recommendations that inform decision‑making.
This position plays a critical role in storytelling and communications, supporting the development of presentations, strategic narratives, and leadership content, while also providing hands‑on analytical support across initiatives. The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Optimization influences outcomes through insight, structure, and alignment rather than direct operational ownership, helping ensure the supply chain is proactively designed to support long‑term business objectives.
YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:
Supply Chain Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization
Lead supply chain continuous improvement (CI) efforts, identifying, evaluating, and advancing initiatives that deliver sustainable cost offsets while protecting service levels
Own and manage the CI pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of ideas from concept through pilot, implementation, and realized savings
Partner with Finance to validate savings assumptions, track realized benefits, and ensure offsets are accurately captured in the P&L
Support Enterprise Cost Optimization initiatives, including analysis, execution support, and leadership communications
Drive broader supply chain cost optimization efforts across labor, transportation, network, and process improvement levers
Strategic Concept Development
Lead and support strategic concept development within SCP&C, translating enterprise priorities into actionable supply chain strategies
Develop and advance initiatives including new fulfillment concepts, product flow optimization, and B2B
Build business cases, strategic frameworks, and decision materials to support executive alignment and investment decisions
Analysis & Insight Generation
Conduct and oversee quantitative and qualitative analysis to support CI initiatives, strategic concepts, and day‑to‑day decision‑making
Develop insights related to product flow, DC assortment strategy, and network efficiency
Synthesize complex data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders
Communications & Executive Storytelling
Develop high‑quality presentations and written materials for executive audiences
Support leaders in preparing content for strategic reviews, operating updates, and planning forums
Translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling narratives that align stakeholders and drive decision‑making
Leadership & Collaboration
Partner within the Supply Chain team and cross‑functionally
Influence without direct authority by building trust, alignment, and shared accountability across teams
Mentor and develop team members and contributors involved in CI and strategic initiatives
International Expansion & B2B
Support supply chain international expansion initiatives, with an emphasis on B2B fulfillment, compliance, and operating model design
Partner with cross‑functional teams (International, Merchandising, Finance, Technology, Supplier Operations) to assess supply chain readiness for new markets
Help define and document scalable B2B operating models including order flow and fulfillment design, compliance, customs, and trade considerations, and 3PL and external partner models
Develop strategic frameworks, analyses, and executive‑ready materials to support decisions related to fulfillment approach, cost‑to‑serve and margin implications
Translate international B2B strategy into actionable supply chain concepts that can be piloted, scaled, and operationalized
THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:
Education
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or MBA preferred, ideally in Supply Chain, Business, Strategy, Finance, or related discipline.
Experience
5+ years of experience in supply chain, strategy, continuous improvement, consulting, or related fields
Proven experience leading cross‑functional initiatives and driving measurable business outcomes
Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate data into strategic insights
Excellent communication and executive storytelling skills
Experience in retail, eCommerce, omnichannel, or complex distribution environments preferred
Skills and Competencies
Strong strategic mindset and business acumen, with the ability to integrate supply chain dynamics and strategies into broader enterprise goals and influence executive‑level decisions.
Comfort operating in ambiguity and shaping problems before solving them
Skilled in continuous improvement frameworks
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging, influencing, and aligning stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives and external partners.
Advanced analytical and problem‑solving capabilities; proficient with planning and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI/Tableau, SAP).
Other
Willingness to travel up to ~10% and flex work hours during major events and critical initiatives.
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The pay range for this position is $122,900.00 - $160,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company's bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part‑time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information regarding our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page:
ABOUT
AtUlta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA),the possibilities are beautiful . Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well‑established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring-hair, skin, brow, and make‑up services.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.
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Worksite address
bolingbrook, IL, 60440, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.