Production Planning Specialist (Hybrid) at Faribault Foods, Inc. in Faribault, Minnesota

Job Description:

SUMMARY: Responsible for establishing long term production plans as well as specific weekly plans. Will work closely with the production, procurement, quality, sales and maintenance departments in order to plan and schedule production lines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Inventory management: Monitor inventory levels daily and ensure production of adequate stock to meet customer demands while minimizing inventory costs.
Establish weekly and annual production plans by production line based on forecast.

Coordinate with plant schedulers on specific daily schedules.

Create production orders in SAP.
Maintain planning fences to allow for adequate lead time for procurement to order materials.
Monitor execution of schedules. Adjust plans as necessary based on variances.
Monitor sales to forecast. Adjust plans as necessary based on variances.
Working knowledge of New Horizon demand forecasting software. Utilization of most current forecast in production plans.
Prepare annual production plan based on sales budget, plant production calendar and budgeted run rates.
Create Demand/Capacity analysis.
Set up and maintain MRP (material requirements planning) parameters utilizing SAP software, including procurement types, lead times, lot sizing, days of supply, etc.
Work closely with Sales & Marketing to plan new product launches and reformulations and execute them on time.
Contract manufacturing (Co-Pack):

Update Co-pack ERP systems as necessary
Contact with Co-pack planners to establish production schedules
Co-pack reporting

Mod pallet build/special pack and rework - Coordinate with sales and plant to maintain special pallet build programs and other special packaging projects.
Coordinate with IT to execute any mass updates needed in SAP.
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of production planning experience, preferably in SAP.

Skills:

Initiative, results orientation and a passion for excellence
Excellent listening, verbal and communication skills
Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and coworkers
Ability to develop strong working relationships with coworkers across all functions and effectively negotiate and influence business decisions and change
Solid understanding of Strategic Planning Processes and MRP

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability & statistical inference

Strong analytical and trouble-shooting skills. Able to function in fast-paced environment, deal with a variety of variables and handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
Demonstrated project management capabilities and leadership skills
Proficiency in SAP, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word and MS Office Tools

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Occasional travel once or twice a year may be required.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include both near and far correctable to be able to read reports and function in a warehouse environment in a safe manner.

The requirements described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.