Packaging Materials Planner

Our packaged foods client in Atwater, CA. is looking for a Packaging Materials Planner to cover on a temporary contract basis for 2-3 months.

You will be responsible for developing packaging strategies:
• Set up new SAP/BY system driven process

• Develop benchmark KPI’s and WOS needed by material

• Packaging materials requirements Planning and inventory management

• Collaborate with Sourcing Team and Supplier communications

• Purchase Requisition / Order Management

The role requires constant engagement with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive performance management, assure pre-determined supply availability, and continuous improvement. Development and implementation of a new robust and system driven process.
This role provides flexibility to work in an occasional hybrid environment of home and our Atwater, CA plant location. (Hybrid schedule for this role is defined as 3 times per week at the plant).

Primary Accountabilities:

• Packaging Materials requirements: Planning across various site locations nationwide.
• Sourcing and Supplier Management: Executes Purchase Orders to established poly and corrugate vendors. Establish and maintain relationships with vendors, and ensure on time deliveries to factories.

• Purchase Order Management: Prepare, review, and issue purchase orders for packaging materials based on production requirements and inventory levels. Ensure accurate specifications, quantities, and delivery timelines. Special attention needed to manage new product launches as well as artwork changes.

• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with the Quality Control and Procurement department to ensure packaging materials meet the company's quality standards and comply with regulatory requirements.

• Inventory Management: Monitor and manage packaging inventory levels to avoid shortages or excess stock. Implement strategies to minimize inventory holding costs while ensuring continuous availability of packaging materials.

• Risk Management: Assess and escalate potential risks in the supply chain, such as supplier reliability, natural disasters, and develop contingency plans to mitigate disruptions.

• Forecasting and Planning Analytics: Collaborate with Demand planning and Central Planning team to forecast packaging material supply gaps driven by Over-sales and Risks on Under sales and Private Label resets (WM) and align purchasing accordingly.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements within the materials packaging planning function and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Communication and Collaboration: Maintain clear and open communication with internal stakeholders and suppliers. Collaborate with various departments to understand packaging needs and provide timely updates on procurement status.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

• 0-4 years of experience in procurement or other related Packaging Departments with increasing levels of responsibility • Knowledge of packaging materials, e.g. corrugated, rigid, and flexible packaging including the associated print methods for the same • Food manufacturing experience preferred Key Competencies Required: • Excellent communication skills both written and oral, and ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams • Strong interpersonal skills that promote effective teamwork with peers and colleagues in other functions including, but not limited to: purchasing, planning, marketing, warehouse, manufacturing, quality, payables, and accounting • Advanced analytical skills with the capability to strategically influence to drive and deliver objectives and execution • Business and performance driven • Demonstrated initiative • Ability to develop, maintain and manage business appropriate relationship with suppliers, customers and their representatives • Strong organizational and planning skills • Strong drive for results and execution ability • Effectively use standard business suite of Microsoft software, with excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills • Experience with ERP Systems (SAP preferred) Education & Certification: • Bachelor’s degree in Package/Industrial Engineering or Supply Chain related field or; • 0-4 years of progressive production manufacturing experience in a procurement and packaging engineering or related role within the food manufacturing industry.