Lead Production Planner/Scheduler

Lancesoft; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Production Planner/Scheduler role for a remote position in the United States. You will own the Master Production Plan, coordinating product flow across the production lifecycle and working with external manufacturers to meet OTIF targets.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years in production planning or supply chain, with FMCG/food & beverage experience and strong NetSuite and Excel skills to analyze large datasets and drive improvements.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, and supply chain operations.
• FMCG/food & beverage experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NetSuite and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and execute the Master Production Plan (MPP) to optimize inventory and reduce waste.
• Manage annual production plans aligned to location-based tolling and sequencing parameters.
• Ensure external manufacturer schedules match the MPP with accurate item numbers and quantities; manage backlog.
• Lead weekly EM production meetings and cross-functional S&OE reviews to identify risks and constraints.
• Run sensitivity analyses on launches and SKU transitions; provide KPI reporting and root-cause analysis.

Skills

NetSuite

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

IBP/S&OP

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Title: Lead Production Planner/Scheduler Work Location: 100% Remote Duration: Through March 31, 2027 (with potential for extension review) Experience Required: 4+ years progressive experience in production planning, scheduling, and supply chain operations (Client and/or Food & Beverage industry experience strongly preferred)

Position Overview & Key Sourcing Focus Areas:

The Lead Production Planner/Scheduler will plan and execute detailed production operations, coordinating product flow across the production lifecycle.

Production Asset Planning & Finite Scheduling:

Candidate will own production planning of SKUs on specific manufacturing assets, running mid- to long-term planning through to finite scheduling, while partnering closely with plant operations, suppliers, and demand teams.

FMCG / Shelf-Life Focus:

Strong preference for experience within fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG/Client), specifically food or beverage categories where product shelf life is a primary operational constraint.

Planning Frameworks:

Proven background operating within an IBP / S&OP environment.

Continuous Improvement:

Experience driving root-cause analysis on plan performance to support waste reduction, fill-rate targets, and inventory optimization.

Critical Candidate Competencies & Experience Needed:

• Systems Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of NetSuite and advanced Excel skills (comfortable analyzing, modeling, and manipulating large operational datasets).
• External Manufacturing & Partners: Solid background collaborating with External Manufacturers (EM) and third-party partners to build production and fulfillment schedules in support of On Time-In Full (OTIF) targets.
• Supply Chain Contracts: Practical familiarity with supply chain contracts, tolling structures, and location-based production allocations.
• Working Style: Methodical, structured, and highly analytical, balanced with a collaborative, communicative mindset when interfacing with internal and external stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities:

• Build, maintain, and execute the Master Production Plan (MPP) to ensure optimal inventory and minimize excess stock and waste.
• Manage annual production plans aligned to defined bar splits by location to support tolling rates and sequencing parameters.
• Ensure External Manufacturer internal schedules match the MPP with accurate item numbers and quantities;actively manage backlog and backorders.
• Lead weekly EM production meetings and cross-functional S&OE reviews to identify supply risks, capacity constraints, and required decisions.
• Run sensitivity analyses on new launches, discontinuations, and SKU transitions;deliver inventory run-out, root-cause, and KPI reporting.