Production Planner & Scheduler
Listed on 2026-10-14
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Manufacturing / Production
Manufacturing & Industrial Operations, Production Manager, Food Production, Production Associate / Production Line
Description
Position Title: Production Planner & Scheduler
Reports To: Sr. Director of Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Grade: 8
Pay Range: $85,750-$110,000
Position Overview:
The Production Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining the production plan for dairy processing and packaging operations to ensure efficient utilization of raw milk, ingredients, labor, and processing capacity while meeting customer demand and regulatory requirements.
Under the direction of the Sr. Director of Operations, this role supports forecasting, milk balancing, and production scheduling across processing, packaging, laboratory, and warehouse functions ensures that raw milk supply is converted into finished dairy products in a manner that maximizes yield, minimizes product loss, and maintains compliance with food safety, quality, and traceability requirements under the SQF Food Safety Management System.
The role requires strong coordination across departments to align milk supply, ingredient availability, packaging materials, storage capacity, and code-date limitations with customer commitments.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Maintain the Master Production Plan for dairy processing and packaging operations based on demand forecasts, raw milk supply, processing capacity, and inventory levels.
- Generate and distribute daily and weekly production schedules to Processing, Packaging, Laboratory, Warehouse, and Blow Mold departments.
- Release production orders and manufacturing work orders through the ERP system to support execution of the production plan.
- Communicate schedule changes promptly to all affected departments to prevent production delays, material shortages, or excess inventory.
Milk Balancing & Yield Management
- Plan production schedules to balance daily raw milk intake with finished product requirements, ensuring optimal utilization of available milk components.
- Coordinate processing plans to support efficient fat, protein, and solids utilization across product lines.
- Monitor production yields and identify opportunities to improve milk utilization and minimize product loss or shrink.
- Work with Processing, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure production runs support optimal yield recovery and product specifications.
- Align production plans with storage capacity and shelf-life/code-date constraints typical in fluid and cultured dairy products.
Forecasting & Inventory Management
- Maintain forecasts for finished goods, raw milk requirements, ingredients, and packaging materials including bottles, caps, and labels.
- Continuously monitor demand forecasts and adjust production plans to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
- Review ERP system generated manufacturing orders for accuracy prior to release.
- Monitor on-hand inventory levels and coordinate with procurement and warehouse teams to ensure materials are available to support scheduled production.
- Support verification of inventory accuracy through cycle counts and reconciliation activities.
ERP System & Production Control
- Utilize the ERP system to:
- Generate and manage production schedules
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