Deployment Planner

Ferrero; Parsippany-Troy Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferrero is seeking a Deployment Planner for our Parsippany, NJ office to optimize finished goods distribution, maximize case fill on customer orders, and balance safety stock with freshness targets across the network.

You will collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Logistics, monitor KPIs, analyze demand drivers, and support projects to improve process efficiency while ensuring reliable service for Ferrero’s customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
• Experience working as Deployment, Production, or Supply Planner in similar environment.
• Experience working with data sets.
• Experience in food/drug consumer products industry.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of SAP / APO systems.
• Knowledge of and experience working with project management principles and tools.
• Knowledge of demand and supply balancing.
• Knowledge of warehouse and distribution center operations.

Responsibilities

• Execute deployment strategy from source, saturating trucks and ensuring there are no disruptions in the shipment operations.
• Maximize direct ship opportunities from manufacturing locations and co packing locations while maximizing case fill & order fill rate on customer orders.
• Manage finished goods distribution across the network to maximize case fill & order fill rate for customer orders.
• Proactively communicate with Customer Logistics on inventory availability and collaborates with them so that expectations can be managed when inventory constraints arise
• Help to achieve monthly shipping target
• Help to improve KPI of Freshness based on correct replenishment of the network by looking at sales trends and using information from Demand & Supply Planner & Sales Department
• Support Supply Chain initiatives & drive process improvement
• Minimize product destructions and leftover in the network
• Manage bulk transfers to co-packing locations
• Provide direction to Warehouse & Transportation partners
• Provide updates to the Supply Planning team to support communications to Sales and Marketing on execution against strategic customer programs.

Skills

Advanced Microsoft Excel

SAP

Project management

Demand and supply balancing

Warehouse and distribution operations

Deployment planning experience

Data analysis

Food/drug consumer products industry

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related fields

Tools

SAP

APO

Job description

About the Role

We have a current opening for a Deployment Planner and are actively reviewing applications. The Deployment Planner’s main objective is to optimize the management of the distribution of finished goods to maximize case fill on customer orders and satisfy co-packing requirements while minimizing transportation and warehousing costs. This position will ensure appropriate safety stock levels are maintained at the warehouse level that maintain case fill and freshness targets. Deployment bridges a gap between the remaining planning functions and order to cash functions. Their support and execution is critical in sustaining healthy operations for all our commercial and industrial locations with a strategic point of view that mutually supports and benefits our customers and business initiatives alike. As the person performing this position, you will ensure appropriate safety stock levels are maintained at the warehouse level that maintain case fill and freshness targets. You will work closely with other planning functions and customer service to ensure customer requirements for product are met on a timely basis, measure and monitor SC performance as per KPI established by Supply Chain, understand demand drivers, and communicate with Sales and Marketing ensuring successful new launches. This position will be in our Parsippany, N.J. office and report to the Deployment Planning Manager.

Main Responsibilities

• Execute deployment strategy from source, saturating trucks and ensuring there are no disruptions in the shipment operations
• Maximize direct ship opportunities from manufacturing locations and co packing locations while maximizing case fill & order fill rate on customer orders
• Manage finished goods distribution across the network to maximize case fill & order fill rate for customer orders
• Proactively communicate with Customer Logistics on inventory availability and collaborates with them so that expectations can be managed when inventory constraints arise
  • Alerts on short term and long-term product supply issues so customers can be updated
  • Product availability and customer prioritization when inventories are low on specific items
  • During seasonal shipping times when production windows need to support customer order requirements
  • Provide direction on utilizing appropriate rejection reason codes to support accurate data gathering
• Help to achieve monthly shipping target
• Help to improve KPI of Freshness based on correct replenishment of the network by looking at sales trends and using information from Demand & Supply Planner & Sales Department
• Support Supply Chain initiatives & drive process improvement
• Minimize product destructions and leftover in the network
• Manage bulk transfers to co-packing locations
• Provide direction to Warehouse & Transportation partners:
  • Where to ship product
  • Indication on the inbound/outbound to warehouse
  • Product availability
• Provide updates to the Supply Planning team to support communications to Sales and Marketing on execution against strategic customer programs.
• Analyze data in problem resolution and trend identification
• Highlight potential risk in the performance of third-party service level agreements and assist in the mitigation of disruptions
• Complete inventory reports and monitor a variety of KPIs to ensure supply chain performance
• Adjust reason codes for cuts within the systemNew Business Supply Chain integration; Third Party Supplies/Co-pack
• Work collaboratively to achieve project goals and complete deliverables on-time. Including data integration, process control and documentation, training, UAT and post go live support. Within compliance with the Ferrero’s S&OP model – e.g. New and acquired brands, Co-Packers, etc.
• Tests processes and systems to identify issues and resolve them.
• Acts as first point of contact with third party partners
• Highlights potential risk in the performance of third-party service level agreements and assists in the mitigation of disruptions.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related fields
• Experience working as Deployment, Production, Supply Planner in similar environment
• Experience working with data sets
• Experience in food/drug consumer products industry
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of SAP / APO systems
• Knowledge of and experience working with project management principles and tools
• Knowledge of demand and supply balancing
• Knowledge of warehouse and distribution center operations

ATTRIBUTES

• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills to concisely and effectively provide explanations and direction
• Results-driven, self-motivated and independent
• Ability to interpret forecast and production plans
• Understanding of root cause analysis to explain supply disruptions
• Ability to present data in a clear, concise way to influence stakeholders
• Ability to adapt to dynamically changing industry growth
• Ability to work in a team environment & manage conflicting priorities, while meeting deadlines
• Ability to prioritize requests and communicate response expectations
• Ability to work independently and with others in a customer-focused environment
• Understanding of consumer product manufacturing, inventory control, and distribution functions

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base compensation range for this position is $75,305 - $100,406. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.