Sr. Production Planner

ASR Group • Buffalo, NY

5d

About The Position

The Sr. Production Planner is a critical role on the Distribution Team, providing analysis, decision-making, and planning in support of the order fulfillment process within their assigned footprint. This role is responsible for translating the organization's overall planned needs into manageable increments based on machine capacities, labor availability, machine availability, and other operational constraints. A key aspect of this role involves actively participating in Distribution and inter-departmental projects to help achieve corporate strategic goals. This position can also serve as a backup to the Distribution Manager and offers developmental leadership opportunities for career progression.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years experience in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Planning, or related field
• SAP experience required
• Previous project management, process improvement, and/or project execution experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office required
• Decision maker with strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills in a cross-functional role.
• Attention to detail with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Customer and Stakeholder focused
• Excellent interpersonal relationship skills focusing on teamwork and collaboration within all levels of the business
• Ability to derive solutions, provide recommendations, and make decisions with limited information
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive
• Ability to quickly learn inter-departmental business processes
• Demonstrated ability to understand issues, develop plans, and set metrics to measure progress towards goals
• Able to handle day-to-day tactical concerns while staying on course with long-term strategic targets

Nice To Haves

• MS degree preferred
• APICS certification a plus

Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis and provide recommendations for Supply Chain cost-reduction and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead or participate in project teams to plan and execute Strategic Initiatives.
• Develop and/or improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including cross-functional process mapping and streamlining activities.
• Lead effort to incorporate advanced scheduling tools and optimize production planning process.
• Allocate available sugar by deciding which lines run based on machine availability, customer priority, and product profitability.
• Create weekly production plan that will maximize line efficiency and order fulfillment, while mitigating replenishment freight expense.
• Review Open Orders daily, identify inventory deficits, and adjust production plan as required, with a focus on order management and service levels.
• Determine inventory location for products being made; retain in refinery warehouse or ship to 3PL warehouses.
• Facilitate scheduling tradeoffs (efficiency / order completeness) when existing production and inventory capacity cannot meet customer demand.
• Create and maintain production orders in SAP per production schedule.
• Review actual vs planned production, communicate significant supply gaps and risks to Operations, Customer Service, and Planning, and coordinate resolutions.
• Serve as the primary contact for Customer Service inquiries related to order fulfillment status.
• Collaborate with MRP / Purchasing on packaging requirements to accomplish production schedule.
• Consult with Distribution Manager on customer order placement to address trade-offs of 3PL inventory consumption vs. direct from manufacturing plant shipments.
• Coordinate execution of planned downtime (equipment overhauls / capital projects) across Operations and Planning.
• Coordinate reverse logistics tasks for non-conforming products.
• Support Planning on new product rollout by conducting capacity analysis, components planning, risk assessment, and implement action plans.

Benefits

• Bonus
• Equal opportunity employer
• We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.
• All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree