Production Planner

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery•Tarboro, NC

11d

About The Position

The Production Planner provides production planning support through inventory analysis, coordination of material movement between warehouses, and reconciliation of raw material and work-in-process inventory. The role is directed by the Logistics Manager and is cross-trained to provide backup for raw material ordering, production planning, deployment planning, load planning, and other supply chain responsibilities. The planner owns, creates, and maintains the master production schedule based on the weekly plan from the supply planning team, aligning planning parameters with plants and helping ensure production schedules and deadlines are met. The position verifies material needs and availability, places and manages purchase orders, coordinates deliveries with suppliers and carriers, monitors open orders, and addresses shortages or late shipments. It also supports plant production teams with daily documents and tracking, communicates planning issues and changes, coordinates product transfers and warehouse replenishment, and maintains and reconciles inventory records across specified systems. The planner investigates discrepancies and escalates them to the Logistics & Finance Manager.

Requirements

Associate degree and/or equivalent.
Minimum two years of related experience and/or training in a related business or operations discipline is preferred.
Experience with MRP or in an account management role.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
Demonstrated quantitative analysis and advanced Excel skills.
Experience using end-to-end supply planning software applications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent mathematics and numerical proficiency.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for effective interaction with internal and external contacts.
Ability to work in a team environment with Operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in food processing or manufacturing and office management.

Responsibilities

Verify input material needs and availability for production, including ingredients and packaging, and place supplier orders to meet production schedules.
Work with vendors and carriers to support on-time delivery of quality materials.
Generate and manage purchase orders for raw materials, components, and outside processing services through ERP/MRP systems.
Track open orders, confirm supplier delivery dates, and resolve late shipments or material shortages.
Provide daily documents for plant production personnel.
Communicate with the HQ planner about issues, shortfalls, promotions, new products, and plant tests.
Review plant daily performance and complete tracking information.
Collaborate with plants on planning parameters needed to create the master production schedule.
Help ensure production schedules and deadlines are met.
Work with plants and co-manufacturers on daily actions to anticipate schedule attainment or adherence issues and take corrective action in advance.
Review warehouse replenishment needs and coordinate with manufacturing and shipping personnel to forward-deploy products to maintain continuity in sales operations.
Plan, prioritize, and initiate outbound and inbound product transfers between forward warehouses.
Maintain daily inventory accuracy for fruit, packaging, and ingredients between Americold (I3PL) and Tarboro (NetSuite & RF Smart) systems.
Reconcile work-in-process and fruit inventory between Americold (I3PL) and Tarboro (NetSuite & RF Smart) systems.
Investigate and escalate inventory discrepancies to the Logistics & Finance Manager.
Own, create, and maintain the master production schedule based on the weekly production plan provided by the supply planning team.
Provide cross-trained backup for raw material order placement, production planning, deployment planning, load planning, and other supply chain responsibilities.