Strategic Planning & Inventory Lead - Frozen Foods

Poppies; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Poppies in the USA seeks a Planning & Inventory Manager to oversee production scheduling and inventory control for our frozen foods operation in Battleboro. You will align demand, materials, and capacity across functions to keep lines running smoothly and costs contained.

Key focus areas include demand forecasting, S&OP process improvement, ERP/MRP execution, and driving continuous improvement in planning, with a strong emphasis on food safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of planning, inventory management, or operations experience in manufacturing.
• Experience leading teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, inventory control, forecasting, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience in food manufacturing, frozen foods, or consumer packaged goods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage production schedules based on demand and capacity.
• Balance labor, equipment, inventory, and storage constraints.
• Monitor production performance and adjust plans.
• Manage inventory levels for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Lead demand planning and forecasting with Sales and Operations.
• Drive continuous improvements in planning and supply chain processes.
• Ensure safety, GMP, HACCP, traceability, and audits.
• Lead daily and weekly planning meetings across the organization.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Production planning

Inventory control

Forecasting

ERP/MRP systems

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Fancy a job as Planning & Inventory Manager?

USA

Battleboro

Operations / Procurement

As our Planning & Inventory Manager, you'll be at the center of our frozen food manufacturing operation, ensuring the right materials, inventory, and production plans are in place to meet customer demand. You'll collaborate across departments to keep production running efficiently, maintain inventory accuracy, and drive continuous improvements throughout the supply chain.

• Develop and manage production schedules based on customer demand, inventory targets, and manufacturing capacity.
• Balance labor, equipment, inventory, and storage constraints to support efficient operations.
• Monitor production performance and adjust plans to address changing priorities or disruptions.
• Manage inventory levels for raw materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods.
• Establish safety stock strategies, reorder points, and inventory targets.
• Analyze inventory trends to reduce waste, improve inventory turns, and optimize working capital.
• Ensure timely availability of ingredients, packaging materials, and production supplies.
• Partner with suppliers and procurement teams to prevent material shortages and support continuity plans.
• Lead demand planning and forecasting activities with Sales and Operations teams.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and implement improvements to strengthen planning processes.
• Oversee inventory accuracy, cycle counts, and physical inventory programs.
• Investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing stockouts, excess inventory, waste, and write-offs.
• Support food safety, GMP, HACCP, traceability, and audit requirements.
• Lead daily and weekly planning meetings and serve as a key supply chain partner across the organization.

This is what we expect from you:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of planning, inventory management, supply chain, or operations experience within manufacturing.
• Experience leading teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, inventory control, forecasting, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Ability to identify risks, solve problems proactively, and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience in food manufacturing, frozen foods, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) is strongly preferred.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and customer service.

This is what you get in return:

• Opportunity to play a strategic role in a growing frozen food manufacturing operation.
• High visibility and direct impact on production performance, inventory investment, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborative leadership environment with exposure to executive decision-making.
• Opportunity to build and enhance planning, forecasting, and S&OP processes.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Chance to lead meaningful improvements that drive operational excellence across the business.

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