Manager, Material, Planning & Forecasting

Gate Gourmet; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401k with company match

Life insurance

Medical/dental/vision plans

Disability insurance

Commuter benefits

Employee discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Gate Gourmet is seeking a Forecasting and Planning Manager in Newark, NJ, to lead forecasting, planning, and scheduling within the Business Unit using the ERP system. You will support the hub across regions with transparent controls to reduce material cost and ensure ERP processes are followed.

You’ll work cross-functionally to drive KPI targets and continuous improvements, while acting as ERP subject-matter expert on the unit floor.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business or Economics with production planning focus (preferred).
• APICS CPIM certification.
• Advanced IT knowledge: Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and SharePoint.
• Good knowledge of ERP systems and basic functionality.
• Solid knowledge of production planning, labor planning, standard costing and daily reporting.
• Very good knowledge of lean manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Analyze historical volume trends and adjust the forecasting model.
• Ensure ERP system data is correct to run the business.
• Maintain master production schedules and kitchen ready times.
• Manage customer load factors with the ERP system.
• Ensure transfers and withdrawals of materials are completed by unit staff.
• Be the ERP super user within the unit and provide end-user training.

Skills

Autonomous

Work under pressure

Strong communication

Staff planning

Self-motivated

Flexible/change-minded

Education

APICS CPIM

Business/Economics degree with production planning focus

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Word

Outlook

Access

SharePoint

Job description

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better.

• The primary function of the Forecasting and Planning Manager is to improve all activities related to Forecasting, Planning and Scheduling activities within the Business Unit using the ERP system.
• The F&P Manager supports the hub or region with transparent controlling mechanisms, enabling units to continuously improve material cost by ensuring ERP processes are followed
• The F&P Manager works closely cross functional with all departments to ensure all facets of planning is completed
• The successful candidate is one who is data driven with strong attention to detail, capable of transforming data into information that drives business decisions, and is comfortable leading discussions on performance and opportunities with peers and managing up.

Annual Hiring Range/Hourly Rate: $90,000-$97,000 Per Year

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• 401k, with company match
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Discounts

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze historical volume trends and adjust the forecasting model
• Ensures the ERP system data is correct to run the business
• Work center assignments are complete
• Master production schedules /kitchen ready times are up to date
• Manage customer load factors with the ERP system
• Ensure transfers and withdrawals of materials are completed by unit staff
• Manages the stowage functionality within the unit
• Is the super user of the ERP system within the unit
• Provides training to unit end users as needed
• Manages Supply Chain MRP to ensure data validity and transparency of material movement
• Support and optimize planning and controlling processes to assist operations in achieving KPI targets
• Revise medium term Master Production Schedule ensuring effective labor and material planning
• Be the link between the operational organization from the different GG units across the region and the Operations Planning & Controlling team for all Planning & Forecasting activities.
• Act as a change agent to support the operations in implementing production and material flow process changes to optimize productivity, and support new business implementation
• Develop and update material flow policies and procedures
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of related training materials.
• Partners with operations leaders to plan manpower adjustments in a highly seasonal business
• Validates the accuracy of process Standard Times and links the data to opportunities for efficiency gains
• Generates, deploys, and maintains Master Production Schedules (all departments, incl. production boards and Operations Visual Information Systems)
• Participate in Menu and BOM Review, Validation & Correction
• Maintains a Customer Matrix for Schedule & Product Cycle Change information availability
• Responsible for Data preparation prior a cycle change
• Material Tagging & Production Guide Line Generation and Maintenance
• Daily Work Allocation & Variable Production Schedule Generation per work cell
• Generates Daily Material Requisitions Per work cell (every 90 minutes)
• Support daily generation of production orders
• Support CI Team in the implementation of Standard Workstation Setup Generation & Maintenance
• Responsible for Forecast Accuracy Improvement
• Daily OPC Meeting Ownership (Forecasting Accuracy, Customer Changes, Data Management, Material Management [waste, yield, over portioning]).
• Weekly MIS data validation and maintenance (Planned Worker Minutes, volumes).
• Ownership of cycle change key event schedule.

Qualifications Education:

• Degree in Business or Economics with a focus on production planning preferred
• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• Advanced IT knowledge (Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and SharePoint).
• Good knowledge of ERP systems and basic functionality
• Sound knowledge of production planning, labor planning, standard costing and daily reporting
• Very good knowledge of lean manufacturing environments.

Work Experience:

• At least a total of 3 years work experience in a lean manufacturing environment, preferably in areas related to data management, operational planning, information systems, operational KPIs follow up or finance controlling.

Job Skills:

• Capable of working autonomously
• Capable to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills.
• Staff planning and rostering
• Self-motivated & proactive.
• Flexibility and change-minded, willing to learn and implement new processes and procedures.

Language / Communication Skills:

• Fluent in written and verbal English language knowledge of a second language is a plus.

Job Dimensions:

• Geographic Responsibility: Multiple units
• Type of Employment: Full-time
• Travel %: 10
• Exemption Classification: Exempt

Internal Relationships:

Operations, Finance, Corporate OPC

External Relationships:

none

Work Environment / Requirements of the Job:

Front Office, also required to be on the Ops Floor

Budget / Revenue Responsibility:

(Local Currency) Yes

Organization Structure:

• Direct Line Manager (Title): Director, Supply Chain
• Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable):
• Number of Direct Reports: 0 - 10
• Number of Dotted Line Reports: 0
• Estimated Total Size of Team: 1 - 11

gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:

• Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills
• Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People
• Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively
• Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus

Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Passion, Responsibility and Respect.

• Excellence: We put the customer at the forefront of everything we do, taking time to understand their needs, wishes and desires. We constantly learn by giving and receiving feedback, improving from our mistakes and bettering ourselves.
• Passion: Hospitality, in its purest form, comes down to a single, core principle: care. We do everything with thoughtfulness, attention, and care. We have a growth mindset, a resilience that makes us determined to bounce back from failures and setbacks.
• Responsibility: We care about what we do, and we understand the impact we have on others and the planet. We always look out for each other –creating a safe workplace environment is everyone’s responsibility.
• Respect: Every job matters. We each do our part to ensure our colleagues and our customers succeed in their goals. We respect each other’s voices and foster a workplace that supports inclusion and belonging. We are all one gategroup.

We anticipate that this job will close on: 10/31/2026

gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. We work in an exciting industry – fast-paced and ever-changing. Industry trends and customer expectations are constantly evolving and it is critical that we are agile, innovative and ready for change - and our people are our driving force. We offer attractive opportunities to be part of this fast-paced and truly international working environment. For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.

gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdfst.pdf