Production Planner

Dairy Challenge; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Challenge in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a Production Planner to coordinate production and inventory at the Country Fresh plant.

You will forecast needs, manage raw materials, and collaborate with procurement and sales to meet customer service targets.

This role offers growth opportunities within a dairy-focused company.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in production planning, purchasing, and inventory management.
• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree in business or supply chain a plus.
• Strong Excel skills; ERP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan production and coordinate inventory control to meet production demands.
• Forecast needs using promotions and past trends.
• Maintain finished goods inventories to meet service targets.
• Coordinate raw material inventories with DFA procurement.
• Communicate with supervisor on information for decision-making and problems.
• Schedule outbound loads and liaise between plant and sales teams.
• Support promotional information and capacity utilization planning.
• Adhere to standards like order fill rate and finished goods levels.

Skills

Production planning

Inventory management

Forecasting

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree (business/supply chain)

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

We are currently seeking a Production Planner for our Country Fresh plant in Grand Rapids, MI, which produces fluid milk, cream and cultured products. In this critical role, you will coordinate plant production/inventory control activities to ensure the plant meets scheduled production demands and required inventory levels of raw materials and supplies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Order all raw ingredients for fluid milk, cream and cultured products.
• Forecast production needs using promotional information and past trends. Plan production accordingly to avoid uncertainties and derive maximum utility from production resources.
• Ensure inventories of finished goods are maintained at a level to meet our customer service level targets.
• Communicate relevant information, events, and problems to supervisor for accurate decision-making and problem solving.
• Confirm inventories on Raw Milk Supply and work with DFA Procurement teams to meet locations’ needs.
• Schedule outbound cream loads via Dairy.com
• Work as a liaison between plant and sales team to communicate and resolve customer service-related issues.
• Participate in sales warehouse meetings. Coordinate promotional information as it pertains to production and capacity utilization.
• Perform all duties against a set of standards, i.e., order fill rate, finished goods inventory levels, etc. with acceptable results.

Requirements

• A high school diploma is required. A bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field of study is a plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in production planning, purchasing, inventory management is required.
• Fundamental knowledge of general business administration practices, including distribution, production, and accounting.
• Strong computer proficiency with Excel is required. Experience with an ERP system and adaptability to learn different software is desired.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package available 1 st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career growth opportunities – we promote from within!
• Service recognition and employee rewards
• Employee referral program
• Work for dairy farm families

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

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