Operations Planner

JOB SUMMARY:  The Operations Planner coordinates all planning, scheduling, processing, packaging, and distribution activities for the Operations Planning Department with Supply Chain for commercial vegetable productions. This position is critical to the short-term S&OP process, utilizing material planning techniques to schedule and generate work orders to meet demand. Ensures efficient and accurate inventory processing. Communicate regularly with Supply Planners and key stakeholders on order status or issues that may arise. Responsible for coordinating with import/export specialists to ensure all export requirements and inspections are completed to meet required ship dates.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

New Crop Material Planning

• Create, issue, and schedule work orders in alignment with new product arrival timelines, quality standards, production capacity, and assigned priority.
• Monitor the progress of work orders, ensuring seamless execution from initial planning through completion, while addressing any delays or bottlenecks.
• Evaluate incoming product quality, reviewing results to determine appropriate usage Ensure seed lots are tested upon arrival for primary production countries.
• Allocate and prorate new product inventory for contract production, ensuring equitable allocation according to contract standards. Responsible for executing the sample requests for quality testing and Sales order and Invoicing for contract production prorates.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including supply, production, quality, to address potential challenges.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in ERP systems, including work orders, inventory adjustments, quality-related notes, and substandard codes.
• Analyze inventory and production data to identify trends and improvement areas, and support strategic decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on production yield, quality outcomes, and inventory issues to key stakeholders at required by the business.
• Report final produced quantities to Production and Finance teams for settlement purposes.

Scheduling:

• Resolve scheduling conflicts with the Mill, Enhancement, Disinfection, and Packing schedules and communicate delays or issues to key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Trade & Compliance Team for USDA inspections of lots at the Woodland location, including creating inspection lists and notifying USDA of inspection readiness on scheduled days.
• Analyze inventory data and trends to forecast future inventory needs.
• Collaborate with quality control teams to ensure inventory meets required standards.
• Prepare and present inventory reports to management.

S&OP:

• Participate in the Substandard Review (SSR) meeting across assigned species. Act on SSR meeting follow-ups and upload new SSR codes to D365.
• Support in Quarterly Product Review and Inventory Reserves for accepted inventory.
• Participate in S&OP meetings with Sales to provide the latest estimates and updates.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports to management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS degree required preferably in business administration or related subject or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in finished goods planning, S&OP, or inventory management within a manufacturing or consumer goods environment.
• Must have excellent record keeping, data collection, and reporting ability; attention to detail is essential.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Must have excellent word-processing and spreadsheet skills and ability to accurately prepare a wide variety of correspondence and reports.
• Must have the ability and discipline to interact professionally and effectively with management and fellow employees under sometimes-stressful conditions.
• Must be self-motivated and have strong analytical and reasoning ability.
• Familiarity with basic operating procedures and processes preferably in a seed industry or in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Must be familiar with Material Resource Planning Systems or Enterprise Planning Systems or willing to learn. Must be familiar with logistics/ workflow.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
• Must be able to work under strict time constraints and requirements.
• Other duties or responsibilities as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to type and or work at a computer terminal for long periods of time.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $70,000-$80,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month thereafter.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps