Production Planner

This role is responsible for developing production schedules that align with demand forecasts, inventory levels, and operational capacity. Client Details This opportunity is with a rapidly growing Food Manufacturer in Pedricktown, NJ. Description Production Planning & Scheduling *Develop and manage daily and weekly production schedules based on demand forecasts, raw material availability, and plant capacity. *Release and manage production work orders, ensuring accurate BOMs, yields, and labor standards. *Adjust production plans in real time to address shortages, downtime, quality holds, or operational constraints. *Coordinate sequencing to optimize changeovers, shelf life, and product freshness.Raw Material & Yield Management *Ensure availability and proper allocation of raw materials, packaging, and consumables to support production plans. *Monitor planned vs. actual yields and material usage; investigate variances and drive corrective actions. *Support yield optimization initiatives while maintaining product quality and compliance. Inventory Control & Traceability *Maintain accurate inventory across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods in coolers, freezers, and staging areas. *Enforce FIFO/FEFO, lot control, organic segregation (if applicable), and full traceability. *Plan and lead cycle counts and support physical inventory activities. *Manage held, obsolete, or condemned inventory in compliance with USDA requirements.Capacity Planning & Analytics * Build and maintain manual capacity models for production lines, labor, and critical equipment * Identify bottlenecks and throughput constraints in an environment with inconsistent preventive maintenance * Re-plan around unplanned downtime, contractor availability, and premium labor costs * Avoid weekend production where possible while maintaining customer service commitments * Use historical and real-time data to support trade-off decisions between cost, service, and shelf lifeCross-Functional Coordination & Customer Support *Collaborate with procurement to align incoming raw materials with production needs. *Partner with operations, quality, and warehouse teams to ensure smooth execution of production schedules. *Support customer fulfillment by validating available-to-ship inventory and identifying risks to service. *Investigate shortages, misallocations, or production shortfalls and implement recovery plans.Systems, Data & Reporting *Maintain production and inventory data in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), ensuring accurate transactions and records. *Maintain item masters, BOMs, routings, and production parameters. *Generate reports and dashboards for production performance, yields, scrap, and KPIs- build and refine planning tools, trackers, and analytical views in Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau, and Salesforce *Ensure data accuracy to support cost accounting, forecasting, and decision-making.Compliance, Audits & Continuous Improvement *Ensure production planning activities comply with USDA, SQF, HACCP, and food safety requirements. *Support internal, regulatory, and customer audits. *Lead root-cause analysis related to production variances, inventory discrepancies, and process breakdowns. *Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, and service. Profile *5-7 years of production planning or scheduling experience in food manufacturing (meat or protein industry strongly preferred) *Proven experience planning in environments with AND without automated scheduling systems *Advanced Excel and Google Sheets proficiency required (scenario modeling, pivot tables, complex formulas, trackers) *Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and production planning tools and custom or personalized WMS *Ability to move seamlessly between multiple systems while maintaining data integrity *Strong analytical, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills. * Bachelor's degree in operations/supply chain Operations, or related experience in same industry * Strong communication skills, both written and verbal * Strong continuous improvement skills and ability to research problems and develop solutions * Ability to produce ad-hoc reporting, as needed * Production Planning Modules experience a plus * Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to team and across different departments of the business * Experience in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data * Ability to read, understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring compliance by staff * Ability to multitask and meet deadlines * Ability to work in a team environment and interact with all levels of staff * Ability to maintain a safe work environment Job Offer Competitive salary ranging from $86,500 to $120,000, based on experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including 401k matching and health coverage. Paid time off (PTO) for work-life balance. MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.