Supply Chain Planner & Production Scheduler

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.•Ayer, MA

7h•$71,449 - $83,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Supplier Planner/Production Scheduler plays a critical role in ensuring the seamless flow of raw materials, packaging, and production resources to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for translating confirmed production needs into material requirements through MRP processes, creating and maintaining efficient weekly and daily production schedules, and aligning ingredient deliveries with manufacturing runs to minimize downtime, changeover waste, and scrap. By closely monitoring inventory levels, resolving supply disruptions with alternative sourcing or schedule adjustments, and maintaining full traceability for food-safety compliance, the role directly safeguards on-time production delivery while optimizing costs and operational efficiency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Through proactive coordination with Purchasing, Production, Logistics, and Procurement teams, this position serves as the key link between supply availability and manufacturing execution. It delivers timely reporting on material status and inventory health, escalates critical risks immediately, and contributes to continuous improvement by reviewing cycle counts and setting practical reorder points based on actual schedules. Ultimately, the Supplier Planner/Production Scheduler enables the company to meet customer demand reliably, reduce waste, and maintain a resilient supply chain that supports overall business growth and profitability.

Requirements

BS in Supply Chain Management or a related field of study.
3+ years’ Supply Chain Management experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in a food or beverage environment.
Analytical ability with demonstrated skills to manage inventory levels
Effective problem-solving, conflict management, communication and collaboration skills
Knowledge of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and production scheduling principles.
Proficiency in advanced Excel skills, and ERP systems
Strong skills in creating, updating, and adjusting weekly or daily production schedules
Ability to work a flexible schedule, be on-call, and travel as necessary
Must have a “can-do” attitude.

Responsibilities

Monitor current and upcoming production schedules to calculate exact raw material and packaging requirements (MRP).
Works closely with Purchasing and monitors purchase orders with approved suppliers to guarantee on-time delivery of ingredients.
Resolve any supply delays or shortages by identifying alternative sources or adjusting quantities.
Create and update weekly or daily production schedules based on confirmed internal production orders or manufacturing needs.
Align ingredient inflows with production runs (e.g., ensure fresh produce or temperature-sensitive items arrive the day before or same day as processing).
Coordinate with the production team to sequence manufacturing runs efficiently (e.g., grouping similar products to reduce changeover time and waste).
Adjust schedules quickly when production priorities change or when suppliers notify of delays.
Track and maintain accurate inventory levels of all raw materials, ingredients, and packaging across the warehouse and production areas.
Works with Inventory Analyst by reviewing and providing feedback on regular cycle counts and spot checks (daily/weekly) to reconcile physical stock with records and catch discrepancies early.
Manage risks of scrap and waste proactively.
Set and monitor simple reorder points or min/max levels based on current production schedules (no forecasting involved).
Keep inventory records clean and traceable (lot numbers, expiry dates, storage conditions) for food-safety compliance
Meet daily or as needed with the production supervisor and logistics manager to confirm material availability and inventory status.
Provide a simple weekly supply-and-inventory status report (All ingredients confirmed + current stock levels for next week’s runs)
Work closely with the procurement buyer and supply chain manager on new supplier onboarding or contract renewals.
Escalate any critical supply risks or inventory issues immediately so the team can react expeditiously