Production Planner

FreshRealm - CONNECTING THROUGH MEALS

At FreshRealm we aspire to be THE fresh meal company. Fresh meals are our focus, and we are passionate about revolutionizing this rapidly growing category. 

FreshRealm develops, sources, commercializes and assembles fresh meals. Fresh meals, including meal kits, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-cook offerings are 100% our focus. We partner with leading Grocery, Convenience, and Omni channel retailers to deliver the very best meals to their customers. Our success is measured by the success of our retail partners. Service, quality, and consistency are our obsession, and we take pride in every meal that our customers place on their shelves.

At FreshRealm meals are more than a source of nutrition; they are our passion. Meals are the heart of a timeless ritual of sitting down to connect with family, friends, and ourselves. We are proud to play a small part in the ritual of "connecting us through meals."

If you are a leader looking to build the future of fresh meals, you are growth-minded and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, or you are excited to work with the country's largest retailers, go to market with the best in product quality and work with industry leaders that care for each other and their communities, FreshRealm is the perfect fit for you.

OVERVIEW

The Production Planner has proficiency in all areas of the planning department at the assigned facility and has the ability to operate business planning tools, keeping finished goods, WIP, raw materials, and packaging waste to a minimum. This role ensures continuity of supply to the business and our customers by monitoring, updating and controlling inventory levels of materials and packaging while maintaining lead times and updating forecast usage.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create daily manufacturing production plans using the standard plan and sales projections, considering inventory levels, and capability
• Liaise  and work with Operations, replenishment buyer including Central to ensure the smooth flow of incoming raw materials, including packaging, and finished product to ensure company service level expectations are met
• Resolve inventory issues by determining what food product may be produced to prevent waste, and adjust production based upon sales and projected sales
• Determine production ability to execute the plan. This may include equipment, shifts and manpower, hours needed to produce a product, etc.
• Ensure ingredients are delivered on time for plan preparation. Identifies forecast needs and issues and plans accordingly.
• May be required to work with all buyers and/ or suppliers to help resolve issues such as late deliveries, defective raw materials, product returns, etc.
• Maintain KPI reports as needed including service level, stock aging, yield, shrink and waste; may investigate and report causes of KPI variances
• Work with New Product development and commercialization to ensure all raw materials and packaging are available for trials & launches
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Skills and Requirements

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Working knowledge of MS Office, Word, Excel, and Google sheets
• Strong computer literacy, including familiarity with a mainframe operating system such as Products software (SAP)
• Knowledge of Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) software
• Able to work in a temperature controlled environment
• Attention to detail and accuracy in approach and a driven attitude that achieves results
• Problem solving skills and the ability to think laterally while offering creative solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a team player with people at different levels or the company
• Able to work logically and systematically with good time management
• Work with enthusiasm and a desire for continued learning to successfully take on a diverse set of tasks and manage change

Experience / Education

• Experience within Fresh Food Manufacturing/Assembly
• 3+ years of work experience in a supply or demand planning role
• Advanced Excel/ Google sheets modeling skills (Macros, vlookup, pivot tables, conditional formulas, etc.)
• ERP system knowledge

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Learning Agility - the willingness and ability to learn from experience, and subsequently apply that learning to perform successfully under new or first-time conditions.
• Drive for Results - Can be counted on to deliver on what is required to advance the company; takes ownership of work from start to 100% finished work, brings others along with focused intensity
• Functional Skills - Possesses top level relevant, usable, experience and knowledge with the ability to establish themself as the best performer in the industry, at their role and level
• Courage - Prioritizes actions and decisions that move the company forward without hesitation around moments of uncomfortableness; laser focused on the tasks at hand that makes any conflict that could get in the way of that an afterthought
• Thoughtful - In-charge of the room, establishes clear directions in all forms of communication, inclusive, motivates, and in service to others
• Business Athlete - Understands and can execute on and expand FreshRealm's competitive edge strategies, knowledgeable about current and future industry dynamics, knows the competition, winner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT/WORK CONDITIONS

Working Conditions: Work is primarily conducted in the plant. This position may require night and/or weekend work.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to a variety of varying weather conditions, trash, waste, chemicals, and other materials. The noise level in the work environment and facility can be loud. The employee must be able to adapt to working in an environment that is chilled and surfaces that may be slippery. 

Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 40lbs, pull/push up to 60 lbs, grasp small products, and identify very small variations in the product. Sight is required for observing work and production. May be exposed to active machinery and moving equipment as well as food particles and trash. May be required to use a forklift or other machinery.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other business duties as assigned.

Covid-19 protocols are consistent with State Regulations