Lead Operations Planner

JOB SUMMARY: Assists the Operations Planning Manager with coordinating planning, processing, scheduling, analysis, packaging, export, and shipping activities for the Operations Department within Supply Chain. Utilizes material planning techniques to schedule and generate work orders to meet inventory requirements and sales timelines and responsible for inventory management. Communicate regularly with key personnel from departments on order status or issues that may arise. Secondary responsibility is to assist Raw Material Planner and Documents when needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Responsible for issuing system planned or manual release of work orders for the blending/conditioning/milling, treating and/or packaging of seed in a timely fashion and in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Works with Inventory Control Team to maintain efficient workflow and accurate inventories and physically works in warehouse to assist when required.
• Monitors and schedules work orders in process to ensure completion on time or communicates unforeseeable delays to sales or key personnel in a timely manner.
• Responsible for issuing, monitoring, and release of all work orders for customer Enhancement Services in a timely fashion and in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Maintains the Enhancement, Packing, and Re-mill schedules for ALL locations, notifying planners if there is a conflict to ensure efficient throughput of product.
• Maintains the Disinfection schedule for the Woodland location. Works with product managers (PDMs) and Customer Service Representatives to advise timeline and priority. Works with Disinfection Team when requested and notifies Planners and PDM’s if there is a conflict or the schedule is overloaded.
• Coordinates with Planners for lots that need inspected by USDA for the Woodland location – creating a list of lots to be pull for inspection to the Inventory Control Team. Notifies USDA when lots are ready for inspection on scheduled days of the week
• Processes work orders from SSC pack request, create sales orders and release to shipping. Processes Contract Production orders, creates sales orders, and releases to items to shipping. Moves items to Custom Owned.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Sakata Systems. Assists D365 and other system users with any questions or issues. Test system platform when requested.
• Attends Substandard Review meetings and process lots as requested.
• Attends Sakata Key Initiative group meetings.
• Completes PRS and Reserve taskers and attend reserves meeting with finance.
• Assists in administrative duties in the Logistics Department. This includes assisting in general office duties such as correspondence, faxing, filing, and data entry.
• Understands international documents for export shipments.These documents will include but not be limited to, Phytosanitary Certificates, Certificates of Origin, Field Inspections, Canadian Certificates, Pro Forma Invoices, Export Invoices, NAFTA documentation for Mexico etc. Works with OIC Team to pull OIC samples and process work orders as needed
• Understand Purchase Orders and the purchase order processes to include vegetables and ornamentals.
• Understand the Ornamental processes to assist the Demand Planner with daily activities as needed.
• Assists in planning activities as needed to include raw material and finished goods production work orders to clean size, treat and package inventory. Prepare documents for shipment with follow up correspondence to locations.
• Analyze and Manager inventory levels to ensure low cost of holding inventory, ensuring optimal inventory levels, and safety stock.
• Assist in managerial duties for the ALL location as required by and in the absence of the manager.
• Advises the Operations Planning Manager on personnel matters to include but not limited to SMART Goals, Career Progression, PIPs, Disciplinary action, and more.
• Serve as a mentor for less experienced operations planners.
• Other duties or responsibilities as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• 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.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/BACKGROUND:

• BA or BS degree required preferably in business administration or related subject. MA or MS a plus.
• Must have a minimum of three years related experience.
• Must have a minimum of five years high level administrative experience preferably in a coordinator or supervisory role.

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.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to handle abnormal environmental conditions (inventory in cold room)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $80,000-$85,000 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 after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service of FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.