Production Planning Manager
The Production Planning Manager is responsible for creating and executing production schedules that align with customer demand, inventory goals, and plant capacity. This role plays a critical part in ensuring efficient operations by balancing supply and demand, minimizing downtime, and collaborating across departments to meet production targets in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage the master production schedule (MPS) based on forecasts, customer orders, and inventory requirements.
- Coordinate with procurement, operations, warehousing, and quality teams to ensure the timely availability of materials and production readiness.
- Monitor manufacturing capacity and adjust schedules to address constraints or shifting priorities.
- Analyze performance metrics and schedule adherence to drive continuous improvement in planning processes.
- Utilize ERP systems to plan, track, and communicate production activity.
- Maintain strong cross-functional communication to ensure alignment between planning, production, and customer fulfillment.
- Support inventory control efforts by managing production timing and lot sizes to avoid excess or shortage.
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards, regulatory guidelines, and internal quality protocols in all planning activities.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in production planning or supply chain within a food manufacturing or consumer goods environment.
- Solid understanding of capacity planning, inventory management, and production processes.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Effective communicator and collaborator, capable of working across functions in a deadline-driven setting.
- Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (FDA, USDA, SQF, etc.) preferred.
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