Production Planner

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; London; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Ontario is seeking a Production Planner for their London plant. The selected candidate will manage daily production schedules, work closely with various departments, and optimize raw material usage to enhance efficiency in production. Candidates should possess strong analytical, planning, and communication skills, with 2 to 3 years of experience in a production planning role in a supply chain context. Proficiency in MS Excel and familiarity with ERP systems like SAP are highly preferred. Join a team committed to sustainability and community impact.

Benefits

Competitive Health and Wellness benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Comprehensive tuition reimbursement

Paid volunteer days

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning within a supply chain context.
• Ability to coordinate efforts of raw materials supply and forecasting.
• Understanding of fresh chicken supply chain from procurement to consumer.

Responsibilities

• Communicate production requirements for various plant departments.
• Coordinate flow of raw materials through Offline Processing departments.
• Optimize raw material and finished goods capacity for production.

Skills

Excellent analytical skills

Planning and organizational skills

Strong oral and written communication

Problem-solving

Education

2 to 3 years of experience in a related role

Tools

MS Office Software (Excel)

SAP or similar ERP system

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Production planner plays a vital role in the Maple Leaf London plant. This Planner will be responsible for communicating production requirements for the ‘Offline’ production departments which includes the IQF, Grounds, Breast Portioning, MSM/FTM, and Offline Traypack lines of the plant. The Offline planner will also be the primary controller of WIP inventory in the facility and while working closely with the Procurement, Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, and other MLF facilities, the offline planner will be tasked with making daily prioritization decisions to ensure efficient and timely consumption of available raw materials.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by December 12. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Build and communicates the daily production plan London Offline departments which include IQF, Grounds, MSM/FTM, Sizing and Offline Traypack production lines
• Working closely with the planning and production teams, the Offline Planner will be responsible for coordinating the flow of raw materials from the WIP coolers, through Offline Processing departments and into the finished goods/shipping department.
• Accountable for optimization of raw material and finished goods capacity for the 7‑day horizon, the planner will take ownership for all London Plant WIP inventories while ensuring zero cooler waste
• Plan production of frozen materials and coordinates with inter‑plant stakeholders to maximize fresh retail fill rates and minimize commodity market sales
• Engages with Production, Supply Chain, and other MLF Facilities as the facility point of contact for fulfilment execution issues related to Offline processing departments
• Leverage production planning metrics (utilization, quality) to identify & drive process improvements
• Supports backup coverage for the production planning team

What You’ll Bring:

• A capacity and raw material constrained daily production schedule, optimized within the context of weekly supply/demand trends
• In-depth understanding of the integrated Maple Leaf poultry supply chain
• Volume/profit optimization of fresh chicken supply
• Continuous improvement of business processes
• Insight on key capability and demand signals/trends
• Achievement of annual financial and business targets (i.e. Raw Material Utilization, Customer Service Level, etc)
• An understanding of how to coordinate the efforts of raw materials supply, forecasting, supply planning, and the execution of a production plan
• Understanding of the Fresh Chicken Supply Chain from live procurement through to the end consumer an asset
• Proficient in MS Office Software (particularly Excel)
• Experience using SAP (or similar ERP system) an asset
• 2 to 3 years of experience in a related role

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated ability to learn, adapt and solve problems in a fast‑paced environment.
  • Capable of making difficult prioritization decisions based on evolving manufacturing and customer service needs
• Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Outstanding change management and conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to build a strong working relationship with other functional teams including production and sales stakeholders

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high‑performance, people‑focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science‑based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values‑based culture

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision MakingOur Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [e-mail].

Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.