Operations Planner / Senior Operations Planner

Sappi; Skowhegan (ME); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi in Skowhegan, ME is seeking an Operations Planner / Senior Operations Planner to coordinate production activities, optimize inventory, and support efficient movement of products from mill to delivery. You will connect Production, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Inside Sales to meet customer commitments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The role emphasizes detailed planning, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement while maintaining ISO compliance and a 24/7 on-call

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years of production scheduling experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in supply chain, production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong computer skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Lean Six Sigma experience or willingness to obtain Green Belt certification within three years.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily production schedules for three world-class paper machines and internal/external secondary winding operations.
• Coordinate Internal Converting, Outside Converting, and Intercompany Deliveries, ensuring schedules and product movement align with customer needs.
• Partner with Production, Inside Sales, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams to resolve issues and support customer commitments.
• Manage the Operations Planning mailbox and respond to requests from internal and external partners.
• Support the order management process from order acceptance through shipment, ensuring delays and changes are communicated effectively.
• Monitor inventory levels, support aged inventory management, and identify opportunities to optimize stock.
• Generate and analyze supply chain, production, and inventory reports.
• Maintain scheduling tools, reports, and tracking processes.
• Participate in mill improvement initiatives, Lean Six Sigma projects, and cross-functional Supply Chain projects.
• Support ISO requirements and participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Experience in manufacturing operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 5 years scheduling experience

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (preferred or willing to obtain)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

The Operations Planner / Senior Operations Planner plays a critical role in coordinating production activities, optimizing inventory, and supporting the efficient movement of products from manufacturing through delivery.

This position serves as a key connection point between Production, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Inside Sales, ensuring customer commitments are met while supporting safe, efficient, and reliable mill operations.

The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented problem solver who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, managing priorities, analyzing information, and collaborating with teams across the mill.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily production schedules for three world-class paper machines and internal/external secondary winding operations.
• Coordinate Internal Converting, Outside Converting, and Intercompany Deliveries, ensuring schedules and product movement align with customer needs.
• Partner with Production, Inside Sales, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams to resolve issues and support customer commitments.
• Manage the Operations Planning mailbox and respond to requests from internal and external partners.
• Support the order management process from order acceptance through shipment, ensuring delays and changes are communicated effectively.
• Monitor inventory levels, support aged inventory management, and identify opportunities to optimize stock.
• Generate and analyze supply chain, production, and inventory reports.
• Maintain scheduling tools, reports, and tracking processes.
• Participate in mill improvement initiatives, Lean Six Sigma projects, and cross-functional Supply Chain projects.
• Support ISO requirements and participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field, OR five years of production scheduling experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in supply chain, production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong computer skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Lean Six Sigma experience or willingness to obtain Green Belt certification within three years.

Why Join Sappi?

At Sappi, you’ll have the opportunity to work with experienced manufacturing professionals while gaining exposure to production, supply chain, logistics, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This Role Provides The Opportunity To

• Work cross-functionally with teams throughout the mill.
• Make decisions that directly impact production efficiency and customer service.
• Develop expertise in manufacturing planning and supply chain operations.
• Grow your career within a global organization.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.