Production Planner

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s, NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, and Trolli to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Primary Purpose:
Responsible for providing a short-term finite capacity-constrained production schedule with an optimal, feasible and realistic sequence of materials in accordance with the availability of resources (production lines/labor) and materials. This role should work strategically with production, master production planners, and corporate functional heads to support reducing costs, and realizing optimal inventory levels. Reports to Maintenance Factory Manager.

Major Responsibilities:
Planner Production acts as a liaison across functions, but does not have direct supervision over any employees. Decisions made by the production scheduler have impacts on the cost to manufacture. Achieving an optimal sequencing effects time required for cleaning, change overs and start-ups which affect cost. Accuracy of the production schedule effect the plants ability to bring source the correct resources (labor), and materials, preventing over staffing, and potentially high inventory levels.

• Leadership and teamwork skills.
• Interpersonal skills (ability to effectively work with all levels from hourly to management).
• Time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

• Past experience in manufacturing environment with responsibility for Logistics or Supply Chain Management.
• Firm understanding of manufacturing and distribution processes.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles and processes, and a passion for continuous improvement preferred.
• Experience in production scheduling, material handling, and/or supply chain management.
• Prior experience negotiating with vendors.
• Factory master data management.
• Understanding and following the product life cycle process.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.