Production Planner

Job Title:

Production Planner

Department:

Production Planning

Reports To:

Operations Manager / Production Manager

Backup Position:

Senior Production Planner / Operations Manager

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Updated:

July 2025

Job Summary:

The Production Planner is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing production schedules to ensure on-time fulfillment of customer orders in a fast-paced beverage contract manufacturing environment. This role balances customer demand, inventory levels, production capacities, and resource availability to drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-term production schedules based on customer orders, forecasts, and inventory requirements.
• Coordinate with procurement, warehouse, and production teams to confirm availability of raw materials, packaging, and resources.
• Monitor progress against production plans and adjust schedules proactively to mitigate delays or disruptions.
• Ensure adequate raw materials, ingredients, and packaging components are available to meet production demands.
• Communicate shortages or material issues promptly and collaborate with purchasing to resolve them.
• Track inventory usage and support accurate stock reconciliations.
• Facilitate daily production meetings to review schedules, priorities, and constraints.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to align production timelines with product testing and release protocols.
• Coordinate changeovers and clean-in-place (CIP) activities to minimize downtime.
• Maintain accurate planning records in ERP or production systems.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, constraints, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare reports on schedule adherence, capacity utilization, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Participate in initiatives to improve scheduling processes, reduce waste, and increase throughput.
• Support implementation of Lean Manufacturing and process optimization projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position may oversee planning or scheduling staff and is responsible for providing direction to cross-functional teams to ensure production targets and schedules are met consistently and effectively.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with ERP systems (NetSuite) and production scheduling tools.
• Knowledge of food safety sanitation practices, GMPs, and regulatory guidelines applicable to beverage manufacturing.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read and write in the English language proficiently.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional colleagues.
• Ability to work in a team environment and manage competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of production equipment, changeover procedures, and capacity planning principles.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of production planning or scheduling experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Experience working with production management systems and planning tools.

Work Environment:

This role operates in both an office setting and on the production floor in refrigerated or temperature-controlled environments. This position requires frequent standing, walking, and observation of manufacturing processes. Occasional extended hours may be required during peak production periods. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on an occasional basis with proper ergonomic practices and PPE.

AAP/EEO Statement:

[Your Company Name] is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Food Safety / Maintenance:

All food safety and quality concerns must be brought to the attention of a supervisor, Quality Manager, or Operations Manager to initiate appropriate action.

All equipment issues must be reported to supervisory or maintenance staff to ensure prompt resolution.