Production Planning Manager (Newark)

About us

Gate Gourmet, a gategroup company, is the world's largest independent provider of catering and provisioning services for the airline industry. For the past 70 years, we have served over 250 carriers in more than 30 countries. Gate Gourmet combines culinary expertise with the highest standards of food safety and production to deliver delicious, healthy, and affordable meals to over 270 million travelers around the globe.

Job Summary

• The primary function of the Forecasting and Planning Manager is to improve all activities related to Forecasting, Planning and Scheduling activities within the Business Unit using the ERP system.
• The F&P Manager supports the hub or region with transparent controlling mechanisms, enabling units to continuously improve material cost by ensuring ERP processes are followed
• The F&P Manager works closely cross functional with all departments to ensure all facets of planning is completed
• The successful candidate is one who is data driven with strong attention to detail, capable of transforming data into information that drives business decisions, and is comfortable leading discussions on performance and opportunities with peers and managing up.

Annual Hiring Range/Hourly Rate:

• $90,000 - $95,000 Per Year

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401k, with company match
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Discounts

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze historical volume trends and adjust the forecasting model
• Ensures the ERP system data is correct to run the business
• Work center assignments are complete
• Master production schedules /kitchen ready times are up to date
• Manage customer load factors with the ERP system
• Ensure transfers and withdrawals of materials are completed by unit staff
• Manages the stowage functionality within the unit
• Is the super user of the ERP system within the unit
• Provides training to unit end users as needed
• Manages Supply Chain MRP to ensure data validity and transparency of material movement
• Support and optimize planning and controlling processes to assist operations in achieving KPI targets
• Revise medium term Master Production Schedule ensuring effective labor and material planning
• Be the link between the operational organization from the different GG units across the region and the Operations Planning & Controlling team for all Planning & Forecasting activities.
• Act as a change agent to support the operations in implementing production and material flow process changes to optimize productivity, and support new business implementation
• Develop and update material flow policies and procedures
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of related training materials.
• Partners with operations leaders to plan manpower adjustments in a highly seasonal business
• Validates the accuracy of process Standard Times and links the data to opportunities for efficiency gains
• Generates, deploys, and maintains Master Production Schedules (all departments, incl. production boards and Operations Visual Information Systems)
• Participate in Menu and BOM Review, Validation & Correction
• Maintains a Customer Matrix for Schedule & Product Cycle Change information availability
• Responsible for Data preparation prior a cycle change
• Material Tagging & Production Guide Line Generation and Maintenance
• Daily Work Allocation & Variable Production Schedule Generation per work cell
• Generates Daily Material Requisitions Per work cell (every 90 minutes)
• Support daily generation of production orders
• Support CI Team in the implementation of Standard Workstation Setup Generation & Maintenance
• Responsible for Forecast Accuracy Improvement
• Daily OPC Meeting Ownership (Forecasting Accuracy, Customer Changes, Data Management, Material Management (waste, yield, over portioning)).
• Weekly MIS data validation and maintenance (Planned Worker Minutes, volumes).
• Ownership of cycle change key event schedule.

Qualifications

Education:

• Degree in Business or Economics with a focus on production planning preferred
• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• Advanced IT knowledge (Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and SharePoint).
• Good knowledge of ERP systems and basic functionality
• Sound knowledge of production planning, labor planning, standard costing and daily reporting
• Very good knowledge of lean manufacturing environments.

Work Experience:

• At least a total of 3 years work experience in a lean manufacturing environment, preferably in areas related to data management, operational planning, information systems, operational KPIs follow up or finance controlling.

Job Skills:

• Capable of working autonomously
• Capable to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills.
• Staff planning and rostering
• Self-motivated & proactive.
• Flexibility and change-minded, willing to learn and implement new processes and procedures.

Language / Communication Skills:

• Fluent in written and verbal English language knowledge of a second language is a plus.

Job Dimensions

Geographic Responsibility: US

Type of Employment: Full-time

Exemption Classification: Exempt

Travel %: 10%

Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: Front Office, also required to be on the Ops Floor

Gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:

• Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills
• Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People
• Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively
• Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus

Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position

Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone:

• We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity
• We communicate and keep each other informed
• We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team
• We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details
• We foster an environment of accountability , take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes
• We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it
• We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law.

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