Manager, Production Planning

Dover Food Retail•Chester, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Dover Food Retail (DFR) is seeking a Manager, Production Planning to manage daily manufacturing operations. This role involves overseeing staff to schedule, coordinate, and execute production plans, ensuring materials and processes align with targets, balancing demand, and delivering products efficiently and on time. The Manager, Production Planning is crucial for efficient production runs and achieving financial and customer goals. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with expertise in production control, ERP/MRP systems, manufacturing planning, inventory management, and cross-functional coordination. This position balances customer demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory optimization, and operational performance. The role has 17 hourly direct reports and reports to the Sr. Director Supply Chain.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or equivalent experience
2-4 years’ experience in manufacturing
3-5+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment
Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations within shift-based environments.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills highly preferred.
Experience working with ERP/MRP systems for integrated planning and reporting.
Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
Ability to respond to change with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Effective communication and people skills

Nice To Haves

Six Sigma Certification
APICS certification
Automotive or aerospace manufacturing experience
Understanding of data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Ability to multi-task competing priorities and projects at the same time.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Strong computer skills—including Microsoft suite of products including Power BI.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement production schedules, allocating work to multiple lines or teams.
Direct, supervise, and train production employees, managing timekeeping and absenteeism.
Lead all production control and planning activities to support manufacturing operations and customer delivery requirements.
Ensure sufficient materials, labor, and equipment are available for production runs.
Track production status, identify delays, and adjust plans to maintain timely delivery.
Maintain production standards, optimize workflows, and minimize costs.
Work cross-functionally with Sales, Business Units, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Operations to ensure cross-functional alignment and meet company objectives.
Manage various assigned projects.