Dairy Manufacturing Planner

Salary: $61, 360 - $92, 040 In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary range.

Shift: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday. Availability for weekend and holiday coverage as required. On-call duty for urgent operational needs.

Role Focus:

The Butter Planner/Purchaser plays a critical role in ensuring smooth and efficient butter production operations. Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, this position bridges procurement, production planning, inventory management, and cross-departmental communication. The role is responsible for maintaining product quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting strategic initiatives that contribute to overall business success.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, maintain, and communicate daily and weekly butter production schedules aligned with customer demand, inventory targets, and corporate objectives.
• Translate forecasts and customer orders into short- and long-term production plans while balancing capacity, labor, materials, and equipment constraints.
• Monitor schedule adherence, track KPIs (attainment, utilization, changeover efficiency), and adjust plans to address disruptions and improve performance.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Monitor butter, raw material, packaging, wrap, and remelt inventory levels to prevent shortages and overages.
• Conduct routine packaging quality and inventory checks; coordinate with procurement and production to resolve issues and maintain supply continuity.
• Support cream supply strategy planning to align with production requirements.

Order & System Management

• Manage butter orders, confirm details, communicate updates, and accurately enter production work orders into the system.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Participate in daily production and maintenance meetings to support operational alignment.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, quality, maintenance, logistics, and plant leadership to ensure seamless execution.
• Provide corporate planning updates, maintain USDA regulatory documentation, and serve as backup for powder planning during PTO.
• Maintain clear communication and adapt proactively to changing demand and operational conditions.

Desired Competencies and Skills

• Strategic Planning: Ability to anticipate needs, plan resources, and align with business objectives.
• Decision-Making: Confidently make informed decisions under pressure.
• Deadline Management: Consistently meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Detail Orientation: High attention to detail in data entry, reporting, and compliance tasks.
• Results Orientation: Focused on achieving outcomes and driving continuous improvement.
• Change Management: Support and drive change initiatives within the department.
• Project Management: Lead or contribute to project teams, manage timelines, and deliver results.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, and production planning software.

Required Education:

• High school diploma

Required Experience:

• 2+ years in manufacturing inventory management, production planning or related field. Systems background in MRP/DRP planning tools or customer order management systems.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Background in continuous improvement (LEAN, Six Sigma Greenbelt certification preferred).
• Demonstrated responsibility for departmental costs and budget management.

Physical requirements:

• Able to lift 50 lbs. (on occasion)
• Performing duties while wearing personal protective equipment

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.    

                                                                                                  

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.