Production Planner

Company Description

Cibo Vita, co-founded in 2009 by Emre Imamoglu and Ahmet Celik, produces health-conscious snacks including dried fruit and nut blends for nationwide distribution. The company introduced the Nature's Garden brand in 2011, focusing on redefining snacking with authentic, innovative, and transparent products. Cibo Vita holds various certifications such as Keto, Organic, and Gluten-Free, and is headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey, with over 900 employees.

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role as a Production Planner at Cibo Vita in Totowa, NJ. The Production Planner will be responsible for creating production schedules, planning operations, and utilizing analytical skills. Effective communication and coordination with various departments are key aspects of the role.

 Production Scheduling: Develop and maintain production schedules to ensure the timely execution of manufacturing orders. Coordinate with various departments including procurement, production, and logistics to align schedules with available resources and production capacity.

Material Planning: Collaborate with procurement teams to ensure availability of raw materials, components, and supplies required for each job prior to starting manufacturing, monitor inventory levels, forecast demand, and adjust procurement plans as necessary to prevent shortages or excess inventory.

Capacity Planning: Continuously analyze production capacity and identify constraints and develop feasible production plans. Optimize resource utilization by balancing workloads across production lines and shifts, considering factors such as equipment availability, part availability, labor capacity, and lead times.

Order Management: Review and prioritize customer orders based on delivery requirements, production capacity, and inventory Communicate with sales teams and customer service regarding order status, lead times, and potential delays to manage expectations effectively.

 Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency improvements within the production planning process. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement and sustain best practices, streamline workflows, and reduce waste.

 Performance Monitoring: Monitor key performance indicators (KPis) such as production output, cycle times, cost impacts and schedule adherence. Analyze variances and deviations from plan to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to ensure production targets are met.

 Risk Management: Anticipate potential risks and disruptions to production schedules, such as material and component availability, equipment breakdowns, supplier delays, or workforce shortages. Develop contingency plans and alternative scenarios to mitigate risks and minimize impact on production operations.

Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of production schedules, material requirements, and production performance data. Generate reports and analytics to track performance metrics, identify trends, and support decision-making processes.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, industrial engineering, or a related field preferred. 2-3 years of experience in production planning.
• Strong understanding of production processes and supply chain dynamics in food manufacturing.
• Proficiency in planning software, ERP systems, ERP data exports, data analysis tools and excel. SAP Knowledge preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively within a team environment. Must be a collaborative team player that works well with others