Plant Production Planner/ Scheduler

Job Location: Franklin Park, IL

About the Role:

Ensure optimal scheduling of short to long-term production & materials to meet the production budget in the allotted periods and volumes coordinated with the Business Unit. Ensuring in stock of all necessary raw materials and packaging related to semi-finished and finished product codes. This position is a combination of Central planning, local planning and materials planning.
The Planner interfaces with the UGP on a strategic level, market unit and AOP, responsible to communicate strongly and proactively any risks to the production plan, market stock coverage and overall PPA/CFR.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
The Production Planner reports directly to the Plant Operations Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:
The Production Planner acts as a liaison across functions but does not have direct supervision over any employees.

FINANCIAL/STRATEGIC IMPACT:
Decisions made by the Production Planner directly impact manufacturing costs. Optimizing production sequencing influences the time required for cleaning, changeovers, and start-ups, all of which affect operational efficiency and cost. The accuracy of the production schedule is critical to the plant’s ability to secure the appropriate labor and materials, helping to prevent overstaffing and excessive inventory levels.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage short- to long-term production plans to meet business unit requests while considering line capacity, labor, shift standards, and material availability.
• Review and enter production plans into SAP/APO, ensuring accurate generation of required materials and resources (raw materials, packaging, labor, etc.).
• Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of packaging and raw materials to support planned production schedules.
• Prepare and communicate weekly production schedules to key stakeholders including UGP Managers, Maintenance, and RTOs.
• Optimize production sequencing to maximize line efficiency, reduce cleaning and changeover time, and minimize waste.
• Coordinate manpower needs with Production and Human Resources to ensure appropriate staffing based on weekly and forecasted production volumes.
• Monitor and adjust production schedules in response to variability in business unit requests, unforeseen disruptions, or performance deviations.
• Participate in the annual budget process, contributing to volume and materials planning, as well as long-term capacity and efficiency strategies.
• Ensure inventory and freshness targets are met, with regular SAP reviews, adjustment of orders, and coordination of cold storage/defrosting schedules for bulk and semi-finished products.
• Act as the primary liaison between the production unit and market units for all short- and long-term planning requirements, maintaining open and effective communication across departments.

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking a highly driven and detail-oriented Planning Specialist with the following skills and qualifications:
• Proficient in MRP, and production scheduling systems, with hands-on experience using platforms such as SAP/APO for planning and materials management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project, with the ability to analyze and present complex data effectively.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, inventory control, and materials planning in a manufacturing or supply chain environment.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a high level of comfort working with numbers and large data sets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of operating in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Compensation Data

The base salary range for this position is $71,000- $95,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits. Learn more about our benefits at

Our Benefits & Perks:

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here .

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at .

DE&I at Ferrero:

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
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