Production Scheduler

Production Scheduler

Position Summary: The Production Scheduler develops and maintains production schedules that meet customer demand while balancing inventory, material availability, staffing, and equipment capacity. This position coordinates with Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, Quality Assurance, and Customer Service to ensure meals are produced and available for shipment on time.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain daily and weekly production schedules across manufacturing lines based on customer orders, forecasts, inventory levels, and plant capacity.
• Translate demand into production requirements by product, quantity, line, and required completion date.
• Confirm availability of ingredients, packaging, and other materials before scheduling production; communicate shortages and coordinate resolution.
• Review finished goods and work-in-process inventory to prevent stockouts, unnecessary overproduction, and excess or aging inventory.
• Sequence production to account for changeovers, sanitation, allergen controls, equipment limitations, and product requirements.
• Coordinate schedules with production leadership to align staffing, equipment availability, and expected output.
• Monitor actual production against the schedule and adjust for downtime, shortages, quality holds, or changing customer priorities.
• Communicate schedule changes, anticipated delays, and product availability to affected departments.
• Coordinate with Customer Service and Warehouse teams to align production completion with shipping deadlines.
• Create and maintain manufacturing orders and scheduling records in the company's systems, as assigned.
• Participate in daily production meetings and provide visibility into upcoming requirements, constraints, and scheduling risks.
• Track schedule attainment, shortages, and other scheduling measures; identify recurring issues and recommend improvements.
• Support new product launches, seasonal demand, and special orders by incorporating requirements into the production plan.
• Follow company food safety, quality, workplace safety, and inventory control procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree highly strongly preferred in supply chain, business, operations, or a related field.
• Two or more years of production scheduling, production planning, inventory control, or related manufacturing experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP or manufacturing systems; Microsoft Dynamics GP experience is a plus.
• Understanding of manufacturing capacity, inventory management, material requirements, and production lead times.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities, communicate clearly, and coordinate across departments.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely scheduling information.

Measures of Success:

• Production schedule attainment.
• On-time product availability for customer shipments.
• Timely identification and communication of material or capacity constraints.
• Appropriate inventory levels with reduced excess and aging product.
• Accurate scheduling records and effective coordination across departments.

Work Environment:

This position works in an office and manufacturing environment, with regular interaction on the production floor and in refrigerated or freezer areas as needed. Required personal protective equipment and food safety practices must be followed. Occasional flexibility in work hours may be needed to support production changes or urgent customer requirements.

About Traditions:

Traditions started as a simple, frozen meal delivery service for the elderly in 2001. Now, over 20 years later, we have grown into a team of caring professionals whose experience drives an operation that serves over 300,000 meals per week. Our emphasis on quality and care has positioned us as a national leader in providing frozen meals, and our scope has grown beyond seniors as we push the boundaries of what prepackaged meal service can be.

About Elior-North America:

Elior North America is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We take pride in supporting the development of our employees and their skills at all levels and in fostering an environment of growth. At Elior North America, we are committed to offering growth and advancement opportunities for all of our employees. The valuable skills and experience you've gained with Elior will propel you further in your career, whether with our corporate office or one of our brand segments. Disclaimer: This job description can be revised by management as needed.