Master Planner

About the role

The Master Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining plant production schedules for finished goods and assemblies. This role collaborates with the Plant Planning Manager to manage the plant master schedule from the current day to an 8-week planning horizon.

Responsibilities

• Manage the short-term production schedule to achieve target production at SKU level while maximizing manufacturing efficiency.
• Recommend appropriate schedule changes when required due to changes in material supply, resource availability or customer demand.
• Solicit input from production groups as needed to ensure the schedule is achievable.
• Ensure timely firming of schedule and communication of schedule changes.
• Maintain knowledge of raw material constraints as input to schedule development.
• Cook up plans for irregular production shifts, including HR events, R&D tests, rework, special handling and material substitutions.
• Participate in regular schedule review meetings with plant operations groups and provide insight for determination of appropriate resolution for schedule conflicts.
• Manage plant Work-In-Process (WIP) inventory levels according to agreed standards.
• Communicate appropriately when plant and material limitations impair ability to schedule production at target levels.
• Acquire knowledge of Amy’s products, Bill of Materials (BOMs), processes and production operations in order to build effective manufacturing schedules.
• Provide insight regarding manufacturing capacity deficiencies and underutilized manufacturing resources.
• Review planning settings as needed and recommend corrections when appropriate.
• Aid in identifying recipe inaccuracies and coordinating recipe corrections.
• Provide backup support for other planning positions as needed.
• Interact with other groups, including corporate planning, manufacturing, sourcing, quality assurance, customer service, and logistics.
• Ensure effective, timely communication with them.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B. S.) from four-year college or university or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience: Two to five years of experience in manufacturing and material scheduling, preferably in the food industry.
• Technical level expertise: Technical level expertise in principles of planning and procurement in a production environment.
• Languages: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Mathematical/Computer Skills: Ability to analyze and solve basic math and algebraic problems; capable of using the computer as a tool: spreadsheets, word processing and presentation skills; MRP and ERP experience required.
• Reasoning Abilities: Ability to creatively solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; excellent time management and organizational skills; highly reliable and responsive to production needs; proven ability to work in a fast-paced team environment essential; with a high degree of flexibility and tolerance to change.