Production Planner

Ferrero•Somerset, NJ

16d•$75,305 - $100,406•Onsite

About The Position

Ferrero USA is hiring a Production Planner to support its Production Operations team in Somerset, New Jersey. The position reports to the Production Planning Manager. The Production Planner develops short- and long-term production plans that align supply demand, inventory requirements, material availability, and production capacity. The role works with internal and external stakeholders to assess throughput, capacity constraints, production cycles, and labor requirements, using KPI reporting and root cause analysis to improve results and achieve targets. The Production Planner partners with Supply Chain Management to maintain sufficient finished-goods inventory in the distribution network to meet customer orders while balancing production workloads and ensuring packaging and bulk materials are available. The role also coordinates inventory transfers between facilities to support production, optimize inventory, and manage warehouse capacity. It covers planning for more than 300 finished goods and 1,500 MRP codes and provides direction to the Second Shift Production Supervisor. The successful candidate will communicate planning risks, priorities, and potential impacts across cross-functional teams, escalate issues requiring resolution, and maintain working knowledge of production capabilities across locations and lines, including seasonality. The role also contributes production-capability input during early product-development phases. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and experience with production planning, manufacturing environments, planning systems, and Microsoft Office tools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
3–5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or food co-packaging is preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to troubleshoot technological problems.
Ability to work with minimal supervision in a rotating-shift environment.
Strong communication skills in a multicultural environment.
Demonstrated ability to direct production employees proactively and positively.
Demonstrated problem-solving, leadership, and team-building skills.
Detail orientation in a fast-paced working environment and ability to manage prioritized tasks and deadlines.
Knowledge of MRP planning systems; SAP, APO, BW, or S/4HANA is preferred.
Knowledge of capacity-planning techniques and production scheduling.
Knowledge of production lines and machinery.
Knowledge of stock management and production models.
Knowledge and application of production performance analysis methods.
Knowledge and application of food safety, quality, and sanitation/hygiene policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Previous production-planning experience in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Experience with SAP systems and extensive experience using Excel and formulas.
Organization and attention to detail.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills (highly preferred).
Food manufacturing or food co-packaging experience (preferred).
Knowledge of SAP, APO, BW, or S/4HANA planning systems (preferred).

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain short- and long-term production and capacity plans, from material availability through production output, for more than 300 finished goods and 1,500 MRP codes.
Review and adjust production schedules in response to changes in demand, material availability, production capacity, and priorities.
Coordinate with Production, Procurement, Warehousing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to resolve material, capacity, and production constraints.
Monitor packaging and bulk component inventory and identify potential shortages, excesses, liabilities, and risks.
Lead and participate in weekly production planning meetings to communicate priorities, capacity constraints, material risks, and upcoming production requirements.
Work with production staff to ensure production declarations are accurately recorded for billing and component accuracy.
Provide direction and leadership to the Second Shift Production Supervisor to support consistent execution of production plans.
Monitor production performance against plan and investigate root causes of missed attainment.
Analyze inventory, production, and planning data to identify opportunities to improve service levels, inventory efficiency, and operational performance.
Coordinate with Central Planning to assess overseas component needs and future coverage, changing market demand, global production capacity, constraints, and potential impacts to the local business.
Communicate with third-party providers about inventory accuracy and capacity availability.
Work with GPD, Documentation, and Procurement to ensure timely BOM adjustments, technical specifications, and material availability.
Attend cross-functional meetings to stay informed about brand performance and new product developments.
Communicate planning risks, priorities, and potential impacts to key stakeholders and escalate issues that require cross-functional resolution.
Maintain knowledge of technical production capabilities across locations and lines, including seasonality, and provide input during early phases of new product development.