Associate Production Planner

Associate Production Planner

The Associate Production Planner assists with developing and maintaining production schedules for stocked and planned products prior to shipment or final assembly. This role translates orders into sequential work schedules, monitors plant operations and schedule execution, verifies shift and production documentation, coordinates cross-functional activities, and helps ensure equipment, materials, staffing, and records align with production, quality, and customer requirements. The position supports safe, efficient operations by escalating issues quickly, adjusting plans to meet changing conditions, and maintaining accurate operational and planning records.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze production specifications, capacity data, lead times, and operating constraints to determine appropriate production sequences, timing, and resource needs.
• Plan and schedule workflow for departments and operations according to established production sequences, available capacity, and shipment requirements.
• Monitor plant operations, equipment status, and schedule execution from production systems or the control room to help maintain safe and efficient flow of operations.
• Identify abnormal conditions, alarms, equipment issues, or schedule disruptions and escalate promptly to supervisors, maintenance, quality, or other appropriate departments.
• Communicate with supervisors and operational teams to determine the status of production, materials, work orders, and assigned projects.
• Expedite delayed operations and adjust schedules to respond to unforeseen conditions, equipment downtime, material shortages, or shifting priorities.
• Review and verify shift documentation, production reports, shipping records, and related operational data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Maintain accurate records related to production schedules, shipping activity, work orders, preventive maintenance follow-up, and production performance trends.
• Monitor quality control points and support adherence to plant policies, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a communication link between production, maintenance, quality, shipping, receiving, and planning teams to ensure customer and operational requirements are met.
• Support continuous improvement by producing trend information, identifying issues, and helping coordinate corrective actions.
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

· Undergraduate degree in business or related curriculum preferred (or equivalent combination of experience and education).

· 0 to 3 years of production planning, scheduling, manufacturing operations, control room operations, or related experience.

· Experience in manufacturing, food processing, dairy processing, or production coordination preferred.

· Certification and/or license may be required during the course of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.

· Knowledge and understanding of planning, scheduling, and production methodologies.

· Ability to interpret production data, documentation, capacity information, and operational trends.

· Understanding of plant processes in relation to production flow, equipment operation, and line performance.

· Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, organization, and prioritization skills.

· Ability to communicate effectively with various levels of personnel to ensure customer, production, and operational requirements are met.

· Comfort working in fast-paced environments and making sound decisions based on available information.

· Ability to interact positively and work effectively with others across planning, production, maintenance, quality, and shipping functions.

· Must be able to read, write and speak English.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans