Production Planning Manager

Dairy Farmers of America; Wilbraham (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America in Wilbraham, MA seeks a Production Planning professional to coordinate schedules, material procurement, and KPI reporting to optimize cost and quality across production lines.

The role emphasizes leadership of supervisors and staff, strategic purchasing, and inventory management within a matrix of vendors and internal teams. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business or related curriculum preferred.
• 5 to 8 years of production planning or related experience with demonstrated leadership attributes; 1+ year of manager experience preferred.
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operational activities of supervisors and production staff to ensure orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost while meeting safety and quality standards.
• Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management. Administer discipline consistently and fairly.
• Oversee procurement and coordination of raw ingredients and packaging material; inventory control, warehousing, and receiving.
• Ensure regulations and company policies are understood and followed by supervisors and production employees; advise correct interpretation.
• Oversee management of work in progress and finished goods inventory; monitor inventory levels to safeguard goals.
• Lead kaizen events, corrective actions, and audits; develop and manage programs and data records.
• Track and report KPI's as identified by the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Communication

Team leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Undergraduate degree in business

5-8 years production planning

Certification/License

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

General Purpose

Support the organization by developing and maintaining the production schedule, managing the process order functions, procurement and coordination of raw ingredients and packaging material, inventory management, management of transportation related activities, developing and maintaining customer accounts and bill of material, maintain data collection, and to serve as the liaison between various levels of the organization, vendors and the customer.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage daily operational activities of supervisors and production staff to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost to meet the customer's requirements while maintaining established safety and quality standards
• Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management. Understand and effectively apply work rules, union contract provisions (if applicable), and employment policies. Administer discipline consistently and fairly. Work with Human Resources and plant management to resolve employee related issues
• Manage activities related to strategic purchasing, material requirements planning, inventory control, warehousing, and receiving
• Manage procurement and coordination of all raw ingredients and packaging material
• Ensure that all regulations and company policies are understood and followed by supervisors and production employees; advise them of correct interpretation when necessary
• Oversee the management of work in progress and finished goods inventory
• Oversee and manage inventory levels to safeguard operational and financial goals
• Lead and participate in kaizen events, corrective actions, and audits
• Develop, maintain, and manage programs, spreadsheets and other record keeping methods to ensure accurate information is readily available and current
• Track and report KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) as identified by the organization
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in business or related curriculum preferred
• 5 to 8 years of production planning, or related experience with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of manager experience preferred
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of manufacturing process flow and importance to process; strong understanding of facility utility infrastructure and its impact to production throughput
• Skill in leadership and coaching; knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Knowledge and understanding of planning and production methodologies
• Understanding of plant processes in relation to production processes for each line
• Able to communicate with various levels of personnel to ensure customers' needs and requirements are met

Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans