Production Planning Manager

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations. 

Who we need

Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain Planning, we are looking for a Production Planning Manager to oversee the Master Production Scheduling (MPS) and Detailed Scheduling processes across two business units and two production sites. This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who can optimize production schedules, meet the overall integrated business planning (IBP) and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping, drive efficiency, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless operations. Leading a team of three direct reports, the successful candidate will be responsible for balancing customer demand, production capacity, and supply chain constraints to achieve optimal service levels.

This hybrid role requires three or more days per week on-site in Brampton, ON.

What’s in it for you

Influence. This is an opportunity to take ownership of master production scheduling, and make a meaningful impact on North American clients. You will play a key role in building and leading a high-performing production planning team in a growing organization with unique supply chain challenges.

Autonomy. Working in a highly collaborative environment that values coaching and professional development, you will have the autonomy to test new ideas, drive process enhancements, and drive operational efficiency, and enhance cross-functional alignment.

Career development. At Skjodt-Barrett, we value the drive to bring ideas to life and the resilience to be accountable for your actions. We have a proven history of supporting the professional development and career growth of our people. Your career path could include moving into Procurement or other areas of Supply Chain, or Operations.

How you will make an impact:

• Oversee master production scheduling (MPS). You will maintain a feasible MPS for each site that maximizes customer service levels while minimizing disruptions to plant operations. You will lead weekly customer calls to review the MPS, communicate risks, and resolve customer requests. You will collaborate with Material Planning, Operations, Quality, and Product Development to resolve crew-related and asset-level constraints. You will meet the overall IBP and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping, determining the reasons behind deviations and taking corrective action as needed.
• Manage detailed scheduling. You will lead schedule lock meetings with the Operations and Material Planning teams to confirm production schedules for a two-week horizon. You will sequence runs to minimize cleaning time and avoid conflicts on primary and ancillary assets. You will monitor daily production performance and pacing, adjusting schedules as needed to stay on track.
• Support inventory governance. You will monitor inventory for Bulk and WIP products to minimize working capital and risk of expiry and disposal, taking action to repurpose stranded products to reduce write-offs. You will support the continuous improvement rework process.
• Support new product introductions.  You will plan and coordinate plant trials and first production runs for new product introductions, ensuring all prerequisites are met. You will drive the production planning routine to ensure the seamless execution of new product launches. You will provide input on feasibility and timelines for new product introductions, collaborating with the Product Commercialization team. You will work with the Customer and IBP teams to reconcile forecasts against the first-product run schedule of new products.
• Monitor and communicate supply chain performance. You will define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time, in-full (OTIF) performance and production attainment. You will develop and lead performance review routines, identifying and addressing deviations from targets. You will work cross-functionally to implement corrective actions related to people, processes, and technology.
• Coach and develop the Production Planning team. You will provide individualized coaching through regular one-on-one meetings. You will foster skill development through training, best practice sharing, and continuous learning initiatives. You will build a culture of high performance, accountability, and collaboration.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives. You will identify and implement process and tool improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the team and across departments. You will manage continuous improvement projects from concept to implementation, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Support functional strategy execution. You will translate corporate strategy into actionable production planning initiatives. You will provide insights and feedback to refine corporate and functional strategies and contribute to the development and implementation of best practices, processes, and operational standards.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. You have a background in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, and Business Process Management with expertise in production planning, scheduling, and supply chain processes. You have a track record of implementing standardized processes and leading organizational change and a proven ability to coach and develop teams. You have a proven ability to meet the overall IBP and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping and understand how to determine the reasons behind deviations, taking corrective action as needed.
• The technical skills. You are proficient in Excel (including Power Query) and have experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• The leadership. You are a proven leader with experience managing a small to mid-sized team.  You can influence with and without authority, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. You can draw on your technical knowledge to assign, guide, and oversee the team's work. You can provide mentorship, manage conflict, champion the team's work, and remove barriers to enable their best work. You can identify strengths and areas for improvement of individuals and the group, setting development goals for engineering teams.
• The project management. You have proven strengths in balancing multiple complex projects simultaneously. You can manage competing deadlines, set and adapt timelines, solve practical problems and deal with complex variables in situations under pressure. You are proactive and can balance long-term goals with immediate priorities.
• The strategic mindset. You are curious, with excellent problem-solving skills, and you are eager to explore and solve complex supply chain challenges. You are a systems thinker who understands how different processes and teams interact within the supply chain. You have excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks. You are continuously learning and seeking opportunities to improve processes and skills.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional verbal and written communication skills. You can effectively translate complex data into actionable insights. You can build trusting collaborative relationships across teams and levels, influencing and managing change. You appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences, taking feedback and supporting the work of others.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families. 

Benefits and perks we offer include comprehensive health, dental, paramedical and long term disability. 

With paid vacation time starting at 15 days per year, paid sick time, and more, we want to ensure our employees feel supported and appreciated.

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor. This is an opportunity to discuss your experience, career goals, and interest in the role. You will also learn more about the company, team, and what success looks like in this position.
• A virtual technical interview with the Director of Supply Chain Planning. This conversation will take a deeper dive into your technical expertise, through a screen-sharing session using Excel. You will showcase your problem-solving approach, analytical skills, and understanding of supply chain systems. This is also an opportunity to gain insights into your supply chain knowledge, including data management and technical skills. You will learn about the  team’s challenges and explore how your skills can make an impact.
• A virtual interview with key members of the team. This discussion will focus on your past experiences, your approach to problem solving and how this aligns with the role. You will also hear firsthand about the team dynamic, day-to-day responsibilities, and how collaboration is key to their success.
• A final in-person interview with the Plant Manager and a member of the HR team, along with a plant tour. This is your opportunity to meet senior leadership, discuss strategic goals, and see our operations in action. The plant tour will give you a closer look at how their supply chain and production planning management integrates with broader business objectives.

Apply now

Skjordt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.

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