Position Summary
This is not an entry-level coordinator position. We are seeking an experienced food, beverage, cpg, manufacturing planner who has owned production scheduling, managed inventory and material flow, and worked cross-functionally with Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Customer Service.
We are seeking an experienced Operations Planning Coordinator to serve as the operational hub between Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, Customer Service, and Sales. This role is responsible for coordinating production schedules, ensuring materials are available, tracking daily execution against plan, maintaining inventory accuracy, and communicating product availability to both internal teams and customers.
This is a highly visible position that requires someone who can think several steps ahead, identify potential issues before they become production delays, and keep multiple departments aligned. The ideal candidate understands manufacturing operations, enjoys solving problems, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where priorities change daily.
Essential Responsibilities
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and publish weekly production schedules based on customer demand, inventory levels, production capacity, and material availability.
- Work closely with Operational leadership to ensure schedules are achievable and resources are aligned.
- Monitor daily production performance against schedule and communicate adjustments as needed.
- Identify scheduling conflicts and work proactively to minimize disruptions.
- Track schedule attainment and report daily production performance.
Inventory & Materials Coordination
- Monitor raw material, packaging, and finished goods inventory to support production schedules.
- Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure materials arrive on time.
- Identify inventory shortages and communicate risks before they impact production.
- Maintain accurate inventory transactions within the ERP system.
- Support inventory counts and reconciliation efforts.
Customer & Internal Communication
- Communicate inventory availability and production timelines to internal teams and customers.
- Provide proactive updates regarding production delays, inventory constraints, or schedule changes.
- Coordinate closely with Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse, and Production to ensure customer commitments are met.
Operational Reporting
- Track key production metrics including schedule adherence, daily output, inventory levels, and production performance.
- Prepare reports for Operations leadership.
- Analyze production trends and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and planning accuracy.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Serve as the primary point of communication between Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, Sales, and Customer Service.
- Assist in balancing customer priorities with manufacturing capacity.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve workflow, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
QualificationsRequired
- Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, production planning, scheduling, inventory management, supply chain, or a related field.
- Experience working in a food, pet food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of production scheduling, inventory management, and material flow.
- Experience using ERP systems, Dynamics 365 preferred
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple departments.
Preferred
- Experience supporting customer inventory and production planning.
- Knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and production reporting.
- Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Ability to anticipate problems before they impact production.
- Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret production and inventory data.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating across departments.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and adjust priorities quickly.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both an office and manufacturing environment.
- Regularly walk the production floor to verify schedules, inventory, and operational status.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- How many years of food manufacturing production planning or scheduling experience do you have?
- Have you worked in a food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing environment?
- Which of the following best describes your responsibility in your most recent manufacturing role? (Required)
1. I built and managed the weekly production schedule.
2. I coordinated production schedules and materials with Production, Warehouse, and Purchasing.
3. I reported production results but did not own the schedule.
4. I worked in manufacturing but was not involved in production planning or scheduling.
Work Location: In person
