PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Corporate Production Planner focuses on production planning and the coordination of supply chain needs based on sales forecast, customer orders, inventory, and production capacity for the specific business unit (Fresh or Prepared Foods). This role collaborates with corporate and field peers to maximize production efficiency ensuring inventory is available when needed.   

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:    
•    Create required weekly and monthly production plans for the specific business unit (Fresh or Prepared Foods) utilizing sales forecasts, orders, available materials, and modeling scenarios to ensure production is efficient and meets required demand
•    Model line capacity scenarios analyzing modeling conclusions to assist plant in developing line and staffing strategies
•    Identify principal sales indicators regarding specific products to provide the sales department and management with relevant analysis and guidance with respect to P&L decision making
•    Develop and update demand planning strategies to improve forecast accuracy and analysis
•    Analyze inventory utilization and create inventory reports and distribute to appropriate personnel; communicate variances to leadership as needed.  Optimize inventory levels through calculation and communication of dollarized turns variance to target focusing on reduction of distressed components including Hold, Expired, Excess and execution of any pre-build initiatives
•    Analyze actual usage against plan for pounds, throughput and yields, compile results and create required reports; distribute and communicate unexpected variances to appropriate personnel 
•    Work with Sales, raw material planner, procurement, and scheduling to resolve meat and ingredient conflicts ensuring materials are available as needed
•    Partner with internal departments to avoid shortages of required materials and in the production requirements, capacity and personnel needed for the launch of new items
•    Assist in logistical planning for product ensuring order fulfillment, adequate load utilization and on-time arrival
•    Perform additional relevant duties as assigned 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 
•    None. This is an individual contributor role with required competencies: Functional/Technical Skills, Action Oriented, Problem Solving, Learning on the Fly, and Interpersonal Savvy 

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS: 
•    Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline (i.e. Business, Supply Chain, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.) from an accredited institution
o    Combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
•    Minimum five (5) years production planning and/or scheduling applicable related experience 
•    Strong customer focus with exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to fluently communicate effectively with internal and external customers in a timely and professional manner
•    Strong computer skills with understanding of MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.) 
•    Ability to effectively interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, exhibiting professionalism and composure in stressful situations with strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize changing requirements

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
•    Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs
 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.