Sr. Production Planner

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company seeks a Sr. Production Planner to lead master planning and detailed scheduling for portions of the portfolio, using SAP-based planning tools to ensure raw materials and packaging are available in advance.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, supply chain, operations, sales and finance, drive KPI dashboards, and guide capacity planning and inventory management across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics or Operations preferred and/or 7 to 10 years experience in related field Knowledge of production planning in a manufacturing environment
• Related industry certification a plus (ex: APICS, IBF)
• Experience with tool-based supply planning / SAP IBP-S4-PPDS knowledge a big plus
• Strong skills with PC-based tools for analyzing and presenting data
• 5 - 7 years of experience in ERP systems (SAP preferred). Proficiency and ability to teach others as a super user.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to management.

Responsibilities

• Lead production planning and scheduling for seasonal and new product launches.
• Maintain weekly detailed production schedules for assigned production lines and products.
• Maintain planning parameters within SAP IBP per management policies (inventory, service and changeover targets).
• Develop/maintain a 12-month Master plan using the planning system.
• Incorporate constraints using SAP PPDS to maximize throughput.
• Lead RCCP process and prepare supply scenarios for full year capacity/inventory.
• Lead S&OE discussions, risk assessments, and capacity planning reviews.
• Plan production volume across multiple sites (GCC/Lindt) and coordinate with Lindt subsidiaries if applicable.
• Update plans in APO as needed.
• Collaborate on inventory balancing and WIP transfers.
• Drive service level risk mitigation based on production plans and demand changes.
• Communicate significant forecast changes with Demand Planning; devise alternate plans when revisions are needed.
• Provide data reports and input for new items and transitions.

Skills

Communication skills

Data-driven decision making

Storytelling with data

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving mindset

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics or operations

APICS/IBF certification

Experience with SAP IBP-S4-PPDS

Excel proficiency

5-7 years ERP/SAP experience

Tools

SAP IBP-S4-PPDS

Excel

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee's contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli's growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.

Job Summary

The Sr. Production Planner is responsible for managing the Master Planning and the detailed Scheduling for a share of the Ghirardelli's portfolio of items. The role can also be specific to the planning and optimization of production assets within the Ghirardelli Manufacturing network (Chocolate Manufacturing / packaging / co packing) Responsible to lead the process of detailed scheduling and planning monthly production of finished goods and use our planning and ERP systems (SAP based) to confirm that the proper quantity and quality of raw materials and packaging are available for use in advance of production. You will ensure compliance with company policies, practices, and procedures to contribute to operational efficiency and cost effectiveness through the scheduling of the production lines. You will be working cross functionally with internal stakeholders and/or external third party co packers. Through all of this you will recommend, develop, implement, and manage safety, quality, and food safety on all product lines. Requires problem solving mindset with ability to break down production challenges into actionable solutions. Uses data-driven decision making while balancing intuition and experience. Anticipates bottlenecks and proactively develops alternatives. Needs to collaborate effectively with procurement, supply chain, operations, sales, and finance by developing strong working relationships. Listens actively and adapts communication style to different audiences. Uses storytelling with data (dashboards, KPIs) to gain alignment. Influences peers and leaders without relying on authority. Explains the "why" behind the planning choices. Seeks opportunities to streamline planning processes.

Number of direct reports: None

Production and Capacity Planning

• Take the lead and drive the process of planning and scheduling of seasonal and new product launches
• Accountable for planning and maintaining weekly detailed production schedules for assigned production lines and products portfolio and communicate the plan to manufacturing.
• Accountable for the maintenance of specific planning parameters within the planning integrated tool (SAP IBP) in accordance with Policies agreed with management (inventory, service and changeover targets)
• Accountable for developing / maintaining a longer-term Master plan (12 month) using the planning system
• Work with the Detailed Scheduling system (SAP PPDS) to incorporate known constraints to maximize throughput through process bottlenecks
• Leads the Rough Cut Capacity (RCCP) process and prepares supply scenarios for full year and year to go capacity and inventory projection, in preparation for the Monthly Supply Review with Operations senior management.
• Lead S&OE discussions and action plans. Example: Supply & Demand reviews, action plans, and risk assessments. Review capacity plan constraints and full year projection. Develop options to prebuild inventory and level load production plans

Multiple Site Planning and Coordination

• Plan production volume in supply network (multiple sites – GCC/Lindt) based on available capacity and East Coast/West Coast distribution requirements
• Communicate production plan to Lindt subsidiaries (if applicable).
• Update plans in APO as needed.
• Collaborate with Deployment team on Network inventory balancing, WIP inventory transfers.
• Drive service level risk mitigation activities based on production plans, demand changes and DC level inventory

Inventory Management

• Manage Shelf-life Heuristics planning to optimize inventory and product aging to be aligned with customer requirements. Support reporting activities for operations, supply chain, and finance. Example, volume analysis vs. Budget/LE estimates
• Develop/adjust production plans to ensure majority of the SKUs are within the min-max inventory settings and manage inventory cash flow

Execution and Control of Operations

• Monitor aged finished goods and WIP items inventory. Take corrective action when required.
• Communication and Collaboration Confirm significant forecast changes with the Demand Planning department Devise alternate plans when monthly and weekly production plans need revisions Work with the Production team to utilize mass production and to correctly utilize available staffing during peak production periods.
• Maintain and update data to generate reports and distribute information to internal customers. Provide IM/BOM input for new items and component transitions. Provide coverage for other planner’s duties when necessary. Other projects as assigned.

Material Management

• Proactively respond to material shortages or quality defects affecting scheduled production Monitor WIP inventory and incorporate WIP availability into the production plan Manage the execution and communicate packaging and ingredient transitions to all affected parties. Coordinate and follow-up with Purchasing on materials and ingredients required for production.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics or Operations preferred and/or 7 to 10 years experience in related field Knowledge of production planning in a manufacturing environment
• Related industry certification a plus (ex: APICS, IBF) Experience with tool-based supply planning / SAP IBP-S4-PPDS knowledge a big plus Strong skills with PC-based tools for analyzing and presenting data Advanced knowledge of excel tools.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to management.
• 5 - 7 years of experience in ERP systems (SAP preferred). Proficiency and ability to teach others as a super user.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Requirements

• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Required to regularly sit
• Must be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hours
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail
• Works in a normal office environment
• Required to travel up to 20% of the time

Salary Range: $93,878 - $122,057

Looking to grow your career in a dynamic, international setting? Join the Lindt & Sprüngli Group! Together, we thrive to achieve our bold ambitions, powered by our purpose and unique culture of community and mutual support - rooted in a proud tradition, yet always evolving to stay ahead and set new standards. Across our diverse local teams, we think globally and act locally – empowering people to grow, take ownership and shape a sustainable future together. We are a responsible "employer of choice" who provides an inspiring people experience. Together, we build trust, drive innovation, and grow – as individuals and as a business. Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company’s actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.