Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Working for Sara Lee:

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery became a stand-alone company in 2018 when it was purchased by Kohlberg and Company (private equity) from Tyson Foods. We have the feel of start up in many ways, though we are an established brand with a strong customer and consumer base. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, continually seek process improvements and a strong sense of customer service, then this is the right type of environment for you. 

Our vision is to be the world’s most beloved bakery by creating irresistible foods, growing with our customers, and delivering value for all. We believe that each of us has unique points of difference and experience to offer. We believe that there is always a better way, and we will never be satisfied with status quo. We believe simplicity enables speed. We believe in integrity above all. We live for food, and we “wow” consumers and customers through collaboration and innovation. 

Summary: 

This position is responsible for providing production planning support based on inventory analysis, coordination of material movement between warehouses, responsible for system reconciliation of inventory (raw, WIP) and related responsibilities, as directed by the Logistics Manager. This position will be cross trained to assume raw material order placement, production planning, deployment planning, load planning and other supply chain responsibilities in the absence of department personnel acting as back up for these operations. This position will own, create, and maintain master production schedule driven from weekly production plan provided by supply planning team. Drive collaborative alignment with the plants on all planning parameters that are critical to the creation of the master schedule and ensuring that the production schedules and deadlines are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Production Planning:

• Verifies input material need and availability for all production requirements (i.e. ingredients, packaging) and places orders with suppliers to meet production schedules. 
• Works with vendors and carriers to assure on time delivery of quality materials. 
• Generate and manage purchase orders (POs) for raw materials, components, and outside processing services via ERP/MRP systems.
• Track open orders, confirm supplier delivery dates, and resolve late shipments or material shortages.
• Provides daily documents for use by the plant production personnel 
• Communicate with HQ planner on issues, shortfalls, promotions, new products and plant tests. 
• Review plant daily performance to fill out tracking information.
• Drive collaborative alignment with the plants on all planning parameters that are critical to the creation of the master schedule 
• Ensuring that the production schedules and deadlines are met 
• Interface with plants and co-manufacturers to drive daily actions as needed to predict schedule attainment and adherence issues and take corrective action in advance.
• Reviews warehouse replenishment needs and works with manufacturing and shipping personnel to forward deploy required products to maintain continuity in sales operations.
• Plans, prioritizes and originates outbound/inbound transfers of product between forward warehouses. 
• Ensure daily inventory level accuracy of Fruit, packaging and ingredients between Americold (I3PL) and Tarboro (NetSuite& RF Smart) systems.
• Reconciliation of WIP, and fruit between Americold (I3PL) and Tarboro (NetSuite& RF Smart) systems. 
• Investigate and escalate inventory discrepancies to Logistics & Finance Manager 

Education and Experience:

The Associate should have an Associates degree and/or equivalent and:

• Minimum two years’ related experience and/or training in a related Business or Operations discipline is preferred
• Experience with MRP/ Account Management role
• Experience working in food processing/manufacturing and office management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities as well as attention to detail. History of proven quantitative analysis and advanced excel skills required
• Experience with utilizing end-to-end supply planning software applications
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent Mathematics skills; numerical proficiency 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for an effective interface with all internal and external contacts
• Ability to work in a team environment with Operations.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Interested individuals can apply at