Planner Production

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream is seeking a Planning Specialist to deliver capacity-constrained production plans for filling lines and the Mix Plant. You will ensure plans are feasible, sequenced properly, and aligned with resources, GMP, and cross‑functional needs.

The role requires advanced Excel, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and the ability to lead cross‑functional planning discussions. You will drive 4‑ and 2‑week planning horizons, maintain SOPs, and support continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• Two or more years of relevant operational experience in manufacturing or planning.
• Knowledge of MPS (Master Production Scheduling), DRP (Distribution Requirement Planning) and MRP (Material Requirement Planning).
• Understanding of supply chain KPIs and how planning drives performance.
• Experience with Sales & Operational Planning including scenario planning and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Create feasible production plans within the detailed planning period, considering capacity, labor, materials, and sequencing.
• Develop realistic Mix Plans that meet factory requirements while complying with batching, CIP, and GMP constraints.
• Create and maintain all Work Orders in JDE for factory and mix planning; changes flow through the planner.
• Conduct daily reviews and weekly planning meetings with cross-functional teams; distribute minutes.
• Establish a 4-week production plan with minimal changeovers and zero downtime.
• Establish a 2-week Mix Plan that supports current and upcoming products.
• Track and update daily inventory; identify risks and reschedule based on lead times.
• Update planning tools and align efficiency with the supply planner; keep SOPs current.
• Monitor material flow and assist buyers with adjustments; communicate run-outs to operations.
• Manage bulk orders to ensure smooth arrival and unloading; minimize detention.
• Update Work Orders daily in planning tools; ensure schedule adherence and accurate documentation.
• Identify CIP cycles, production shutdowns, and preventive maintenance in the plan.
• Monitor new products for mix readiness and on-time launch.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Organization

Presentation skills

Documentation skills

Planning cycles

Costing

Optimization

Job description

Are you looking to catapult your career by driving high-impact transformation with household brands? Do you crave an entrepreneurial, fast paced, and engaging growth assignment working with incredible people from across the globe?

At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure-play ice cream leader. Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen-Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, and the backing and coaching of European-based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up-and-coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight-knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it.

Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

Main Purpose Of The Job

Provide accurate, short‑term, capacity‑constrained production plans for Filling Lines and the Mix Plant. Ensure all plans are feasible, properly sequenced, and aligned with available resources, materials, and GMP requirements. This role demands strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective cross‑functional communication to maintain uninterrupted material and production flow

Duties And Responsibilities

• Create feasible production plans within the detailed planning period, considering available capacity, labor, materials, and product‑family sequencing set by the long‑term planner.
• Develop realistic Mix Plans that meet factory requirements and comply with batching, CIP, and GMP constraints.
• Create and maintain all Work Orders in JDE for factory and mix planning; all changes must flow through the planner.
• Conduct daily reviews and weekly planning meetings with all relevant functions and distribute meeting minutes.
• Establish a 4‑week production plan with minimal changeovers and zero downtime.
• Establish a 2‑week Mix Plan that fully supports all products scheduled for the current and upcoming week.
• Track and update daily inventory, identifying risks and rescheduling needs based on carrier lead times.
• Maintain updates to planning tools, periodic alignments of efficiency with supply planner and that standard operating procedures have relevant and up to date procedures.
• Track and support buyers with material flow through work order adjustments and run outs are planned and communicated to operations.
• Manage bulk orders to ensure smooth arrival and unloading, minimizing detention caused by space or receiver availability.
• Update and highlight Work Orders daily in planning tools, ensuring schedule adherence, quantity accuracy, and documentation of all changes.
• Identify and integrate CIP cycles, production shutdowns, and preventive maintenance within the detailed plan.
• Monitor new products to ensure mix and production readiness for on‑time launch.
• Identify potential issues within the planning horizon, assess their risks, and provide actionable solutions.
• Communicate daily/weekly updates to maintain alignment with cross‑functional partners.
• Highlight demand increases or decreases and communicate impacts on material requirements.
• Adhere to all Froneri procedures and standards.
• Maintain 5S in the planning workplace.
• Update material planning parameters in the system as needed.
• Track and report Mix Attainment weekly, monitoring planned versus actual KPIs.
• Identify opportunities for factory performance improvement within the planning period.

Key Measurements

• Production & Mix Attainment
• Materials Requirements Accuracy
• Stock Cover
• Closing Attainment Values

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced Excel and analytical skills
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities
• Leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of planning cycles, costing, optimization
• Ability to manage workflow from planning to delivery
• Results‑oriented and able to work under pressure
• Strong presentation and documentation skills.

Key Relationships Internal to FRONERI Group

Key Relationships External to FRONERI Group

• Finance, NPD, Marketing, Planning, QA, Production, Mix, Logistics, 3PL, Warehousing

Key Suppliers

Key Experiences And Knowledge

• Two or more years of relevant operational experience at market / business level is useful, in at least one of the following areas (Manufacturing Function/Planning Function):
• MPS (Master Production Scheduling)
• DRP (Distribution Requirement Planning)
• MRP (Material Requirement Planning)
• Basic understanding of the Impact of Master Production & Detailed Production decisions on execution and other Supply Chain KPIs.
• Knowledge of Customer Service / Distribution Requirement Planning (domestic/international) / Factory Operations / Co-packing / Co-manufacturing / Inventory management (Finished Goods)/ Materials Management (Raw & Packaging) / Supply Chain KPIs.
• Sales & Operational Planning Experience including scenario planning, supply risk assessment, and alignment with demand and manufacturing.

Personal Qualities

• Trusted, reliable, strong judgment
• Clear communicator, open to feedback
• Detail oriented with strong prioritization skills
• Business wide perspective beyond role scope
• Solution driven and adaptable
• Leadership mindset without formal authority

BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES: Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.

We Take Ownership

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish
• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail
• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations
• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment
• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We ek to Improve

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations
• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve
• Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business
• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives
• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

Work Environment

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
• Requires use of cold-protective PPE.
• May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast-Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
• High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
• Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team-Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees in this role is between $80,000 to $85,000 per year, with opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay and annual bonuses (variable depending on company performance).

We offer a comprehensive group benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401K plan with employer match and annual contribution available.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan and H-1B lottery registration) for this position.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.