POSITION SUMMARY:The Production Planner owns the production schedule and material plan for assigned Lakewood lines, translating Corporate Supply Chain demand into an executable, efficient, and fully supplied plan. The planner works in SAP S/4HANA and Swisslog WMS every day to balance customer service, line efficiency, and inventory investment: sequencing production to minimize changeovers and washouts, keeping raw materials and components flowing from suppliers without shortages or excess inventory, and meeting weekly Brand attainment and plant KPIs within budget.
The ideal candidate is proactive and analytical. They look over the hill, identify supply, capacity, and inventory risks weeks ahead, act before those risks disrupt production, and clearly explain what happened and what is being done when the plan is missed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Production Scheduling & Efficiency- Review the bi-weekly production plan from Corporate Supply Chain Planning and convert it into a feasible, sequenced line schedule based on capacity, staffing, and material availability. Collaborate with Operations (Packaging and Processing)
- Sequence production by formulation, bulk, and package size (campaign/wheel scheduling) to minimize downtime and maximize line efficiency (OEE).
- Actively identify inefficiencies in the planning/production process (avoidable changeovers, short runs, bulk/fill timing gaps, rework) and recommend/implement improvements
- Account for planned maintenance, sanitation/washouts, plant trials (PTRs), and new product starts when building the schedule
- Revise production schedules where needed based on component availability, capacity, or demand changes, with clear reasoning and impact
- Coordinate production time for Plant Trials (PTRs) and attend Brand Team meetings
Materials, Inventory & Purchasing- Run MRP and act on results daily: convert planned orders and purchase requisitions, place purchase orders, and assign delivery dates based on true production need
- Expedite (pull in) or de-expedite (push out) open purchase orders with vendors in a timely manner so there are no production disruptions and no unnecessary inventory build at the plant
- Run daily "Hot Items" and open purchase order reports; follow up with vendors on outstanding deliveries and confirm component availability via SAP, Supply Network Collaboration (SNC), or e-mail
- Consistently review raw material and component inventory against SAP, WMS, and physical counts; call out and drive resolution of discrepancies with Warehouse, Inventory Control, and Quality
- Manage raw material inventory to target levels, monitoring days of supply, aged, expiring, blocked, and excess/obsolete material
- Supply weekly demand forecast to vendors via SAP
- Issue Requests for Inventory Disposition (RIDs) based on disposal approvals
KPIs, Budget & Reporting- Own and report planning KPIs, including weekly SKU schedule attainment, inventory levels/days of supply, material availability, and changeover/washout impact
- Operate within the plant's inventory and operating budget; support cost reduction by reducing excess inventory, expedite freight, write-offs, and avoidable downtime
- Write clear, detailed explanations for schedule misses, production cuts, and material shortages, including root cause, business impact, and corrective/preventive actions
SAP S/4HANA & Master Data- Address all SAP MRP exceptions and maintain MRP health (e.g., lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, rounding values) in partnership with Master Data
- Create production Bills of Material and Production Versions in SAP; review and confirm new/changed components in PLM
- Process SAP workflow IDOCs and resolve transactional errors that affect planning or receiving
Proactive Planning, Standard Work & Compliance- Look ahead across the planning horizon to diagnose supply, capacity, and inventory risks before they become problems, and escalate early with options
- Follow department standard work and planning routines consistently; help document and improve standard work
- Adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and demonstrate an understanding of the impact FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) have on our production processes
- Participate in all job-related safety training and personally comply with all safety policies and procedures
- Perform other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:- SAP S/4HANA: Working proficiency in PP/MM planning transactions (e.g., MD04 stock/requirements list, MRP run and exception handling, purchase order creation and maintenance, BOMs and production versions)
- Planning fundamentals: Solid understanding of MRP logic, capacity planning, lead times, safety stock, lot sizing, and inventory management principles
- Changeover optimization: Ability to sequence by formulation and package size to reduce changeovers and washouts and improve line efficiency
- Analytical skills: Advanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data analysis); Power BI and or CoPilot/AI a plus
- Written communication: Ability to write clear, concise, fact-based explanations of misses, cuts, and risks for plant and corporate leadership
- Proactive ownership: Anticipates problems, acts without being prompted, and follows through to resolution. Follows standard work consistently and attention to detail
- Systems: Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams), Warehouse Management System (WMS), PLM, and CLICK applications
- Collaboration: Builds positive working relationships with Operations, Quality, Warehouse, Procurement, vendors, and Corporate Supply Chain
- Prioritization: Manages competing priorities and makes sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Required- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 2-3 years production planning, production scheduling, or MRP/materials planning experience in a manufacturing environment (warehouse, inventory control, or logistics experience alone does not meet this requirement)
- Demonstrated hands-on experience planning in SAP (S/4HANA strongly preferred)
- Demonstrated experience meeting KPIs and working within a budget or inventory target
- Experience placing and managing purchase orders and working directly with suppliers on delivery dates
Preferred- ASCM/APICS CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) or CSCP certification, or actively pursuing
- Experience in consumer packaged goods, OTC healthcare/drug, personal care, or other FDA/cGMP-regulated manufacturing
- Lean or Six Sigma training (Yellow/Green Belt)
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $67,300-$105,100. This position is also eligible for a bonus.
As a Church & Dwight US employee, you (and eligible dependents, as applicable) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and Paid Parental Leave. U.S. employees are entitled to paid holidays, floating holidays, and vacation days starting in their first year of employment depending on hire date. You are also able to participate in our 401k retirement plan (with company match and profit-sharing) and Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay parity. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
