Generalist Operations Planner

The Hershey Company; Stuarts Draft (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, +

Financial Security: 401(k) with match

Time Off & Flexibility: PTO & holidays

Growth & Development: Career programs

Job summary

The Hershey Company in Stuarts Draft, VA is seeking an Operations Planner Generalist to independently execute planning activities across supply and operations planning. You will translate demand into executable production and material plans to support service, inventory, and financial objectives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will develop detailed production schedules, manage MRP parameters, analyze capacity and inventory, and collaborate with multiple departments to drive

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, manufacturing, production planning, scheduling, or inventory management.
• Experience with SAP or a similar ERP platform and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate detailed production schedules for assigned operations in support of the master production schedule and longer-term planning strategy.
• Manage MRP parameters and material requirements to support timely purchasing and delivery while achieving inventory targets.
• Analyze inventory performance, material availability, capacity, and shared resources; recommend actions that improve service, cost, productivity, and material flow.
• Maintain accurate bills of material and routing data while supporting the successful execution of engineering and product changes.
• Own defined planning processes and small projects, monitor progress, resolve issues, and ensure commitments are delivered on time.
• Collaborate with Operations, Procurement, Logistics, suppliers, and other stakeholders to identify constraints, mitigate risks, and communicate recommended solutions.
• Apply structured problem-solving techniques to resolve non-routine planning challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

SAP ERP

Excel

JDA

Supply chain planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

JDA

Job description

Why Hershey:

At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey’s enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.

Job Location: Stuarts Draft, VA

Career Level:

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With a strong portfolio across chocolate, confectionery, and salty snacks, Hershey delights consumers every day. Our beloved brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, KitKat®, Dots Pretzels, Lesser Evil, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and more.

At Hershey, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities where we live, work, and do business. This commitment originated with our founder, Milton Hershey, and continues to shape who we are today.

Guided by our employee value proposition, Lead Today. Create Tomorrow, we empower our people to drive impact now while shaping what comes next. Our One Hershey mindset brings teams together across functions, geographies, and businesses, enabling us to operate with speed, collaboration, and shared purpose.

The Hershey Company is proud to be recognized as a top employer in the United States, reflecting our commitment to our people, culture, and purpose.

How will you fit in the big picture?

As an Operations Planner Generalist, you will independently execute planning activities across supply and operations planning. You will transform demand and operational requirements into accurate, executable production and material plans that support service, inventory, and financial objectives. This role applies intermediate planning expertise to influence outcomes through execution excellence, analysis, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What will you do?

• Develop and communicate detailed production schedules for assigned operations in support of the master production schedule and longer-term planning strategy.
• Manage MRP parameters and material requirements to support timely purchasing and delivery while achieving inventory targets.
• Analyze inventory performance, material availability, capacity, and shared resources; recommend actions that improve service, cost, productivity, and material flow.
• Maintain accurate bills of material and routing data while supporting the successful execution of engineering and product changes.
• Own defined planning processes and small projects, monitor progress, resolve issues, and ensure commitments are delivered on time.
• Collaborate with Operations, Procurement, Logistics, suppliers, and other stakeholders to identify constraints, mitigate risks, and communicate recommended solutions.
• Apply structured problem-solving techniques to resolve non-routine planning challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Minimum Education & Requirements

Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, manufacturing, production planning, scheduling, inventory management, materials management, or a related field. Experience with SAP or a similar ERP platform and advanced Microsoft Excel skills are required. JDA experience is a plus. The 3+ year experience requirement aligns with Associate Manager level expectations.

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Benefits And Perks

At Hershey, we offer competitive pay and a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and life outside of work.

• Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health.
• Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable.
• Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility.

Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.

You can request an accommodation via phone or email.

To request an accommodation via phone, please call [phone] and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to [e-mail]. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.