Job Title:

Production Planning Manager

Who we need

Our manufacturing client, a dynamic and growing company in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, is seeking a Production Planning Manager to oversee the Master Production Scheduling (MPS) and Detailed Scheduling processes across two business units and two production sites. This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who can optimize production schedules, meet the overall integrated business planning (IBP) and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping, drive efficiency, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless operations. Leading a team of three direct reports, the successful candidate will be responsible for balancing customer demand, production capacity, and supply chain constraints to achieve optimal service levels.

This hybrid role requires three or more days per week on-site in Brampton, ON.

What’s in it for you

You will have the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing production planning team, implement best-in-class scheduling practices, and directly contribute to the company’s success. You will work in a highly collaborative environment that values coaching, professional development, and continuous improvement. If you want to take ownership of master production scheduling, drive operational efficiency, and enhance cross-functional alignment, this is the role for you.

You will:

• Oversee master production scheduling (MPS). You will maintain a feasible MPS for each site that maximizes customer service levels while minimizing disruptions to plant operations. You will lead weekly customer calls to review the MPS, communicate risks, and resolve customer requests. You will collaborate with Material Planning, Operations, Quality, and Product Development to resolve crew-related and asset-level constraints. You will meet the overall IBP and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping, determining the reasons behind deviations and taking corrective action as needed.
• Manage detailed scheduling. You will lead schedule lock meetings with the Operations and Material Planning teams to confirm production schedules for a two-week horizon. You will sequence runs to minimize cleaning time and avoid conflicts on primary and ancillary assets. You will monitor daily production performance and pacing, adjusting schedules as needed to stay on track.
• Support inventory governance. You will monitor inventory for Bulk and WIP products to minimize working capital and risk of expiry and disposal, taking action to repurpose stranded products to reduce write-offs. You will support the continuous improvement rework process.
• Support new product introductions.  You will plan and coordinate plant trials and first production runs for new product introductions, ensuring all prerequisites are met. You will drive the production planning routine to ensure the seamless execution of new product launches. You will provide input on feasibility and timelines for new product introductions, collaborating with the Product Commercialization team. You will work with the Customer and IBP teams to reconcile forecasts against the first-product run schedule of new products.
• Monitor and communicate supply chain performance. You will define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time, in-full (OTIF) performance and production attainment. You will develop and lead performance review routines, identifying and addressing deviations from targets. You will work cross-functionally to implement corrective actions related to people, processes, and technology.
• Coach and develop the Production Planning team. You will provide individualized coaching through regular one-on-one meetings. You will foster skill development through training, best practice sharing, and continuous learning initiatives. You will build a culture of high performance, accountability, and collaboration.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives. You will identify and implement process and tool improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the team and across departments. You will manage continuous improvement projects from concept to implementation, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Support functional strategy execution. You will translate corporate strategy into actionable production planning initiatives. You will provide insights and feedback to refine corporate and functional strategies and contribute to the development and implementation of best practices, processes, and operational standards.

You have:

• The experience. You have a background in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, and Business Process Management with expertise in production planning, scheduling, and supply chain processes. You have a track record of implementing standardized processes and leading organizational change and a proven ability to coach and develop teams. You have a proven ability to meet the overall IBP and budgeted volume targets in production and shipping and understand how to determine the reasons behind deviations, taking corrective action as needed.
• The technical skills. You are proficient in Excel (including Power Query) and have experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• The leadership. You are a proven leader with experience managing a small to mid-sized team.  You can influence with and without authority, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. You can draw on your technical knowledge to assign, guide, and oversee the team's work. You can provide mentorship, manage conflict, champion the team's work, and remove barriers to enable their best work. You can identify strengths and areas for improvement of individuals and the group, setting development goals for engineering teams.
• The project management. You have proven strengths in balancing multiple complex projects simultaneously. You can manage competing deadlines, set and adapt timelines, solve practical problems and deal with complex variables in situations under pressure. You are proactive and can balance long-term goals with immediate priorities.
• The strategic mindset. You are curious, with excellent problem-solving skills, and you are eager to explore and solve complex supply chain challenges. You are a systems thinker who understands how different processes and teams interact within the supply chain. You have excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks. You are continuously learning and seeking opportunities to improve processes and skills.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional verbal and written communication skills. You can effectively translate complex data into actionable insights. You can build trusting collaborative relationships across teams and levels, influencing and managing change. You appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences, taking feedback and supporting the work of others.

TO APPLY:

Posted 2025-03-17