Production Planner

Objective

The Production Planner collaborates with Operations to develop production schedules based upon forecast, customer orders and inventory levels for perishable products. This role prioritizes workflows to maximize performance, minimize delays, and ensure timely shipments. The position is based in New Holland, PA and oversees planning of our Lena, IL plant. 

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Create and monitor production schedules, collaborating daily with operations leadership to track progress, resolve issues, and ensure material availability and delivery reliability
• Maintain production schedules, reports, and follow-ups to expedite material flow and meet customer expectations 
• Analyze production specifications, plan workflows, and schedule operations based on established sequences and lead times
• Monitor and report performance to schedule, addressing delays and adjusting plans for unforeseen conditions
• Initiate replacement orders for lost, damaged, or discrepant items and ensure work orders are complete with necessary materials and resources
• Collaborate with Customer Service to manage distressed inventory and maintain Day of Supply with set limits
• Drive operational efficiency by integrating business planning with production, procurement, and logistics to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and uphold quality standards
• Develop long-term production plans using historical data, demand forecasts, and capacity constraints to align with strategic goals
• Manage distribution requirements to ensure proper inventory placement in warehouses to meet customer needs
• Proactively address product shortages, advising Customer Service on allocation to ensure equitable distribution

Competencies

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and move about the facility; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, generally 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some flexibility in hours is allowed with supervisor approval. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

There is minimal travel required for this position. Add travel up to 6 times per year  

Required Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/GED and minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a planning or related position or BS degree in material/operations management or equivalent. 
• Ability to speak, read, write and comprehend English
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and computer-based applications

Preferred Education and Experience

• Post-Secondary education in material/operations management or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of ERP/ MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) systems 
• APICS certification and/ or CSCM certification

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• SAP experience

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Eligible to work in USA.

Food Safety and Product Quality

This position is responsible for supporting the food safety management system and for communicating food safety issues to the Quality Department. 

Affirmative Action Plan/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Savencia Cheese USA provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.  Further, the company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics.  Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.