Production Planner/manager

Shah Trading Co. Ltd is a leader in the food industry with a 40 year history serving customers both in Canada and globally. With a deep understanding of food markets and food safety requirements we are committed to continued leadership, growth, and service to our customers.
**Production Planner / Manager***:
***:
Oversee the execution of Planning, Scheduling, and Inventory Management processes. This includes master planning for daily, weekly, and monthly time horizons, inventory management, order review and production schedules, and Excel Based ERP data management.

The Production Planner/Manager is responsible for the direct management and handling of all production functions. This includes managing plant operations to ensure compliance to operational targets and standards, enforcing health and safety and GMP compliance at the plant level, and monitoring production scheduling as well as maintenance.

**Responsibilities**:

- Develop a strong understanding of internal Production and Operations systems and processes.
- Plan and release production schedules to ensure all orders are delivered in full and on time
- Distribute reports and ensure each workstation is scheduled to meet the production schedule.
- Collaborate with QC and Purchasing to reconcile all material issues associated with the jobs
- Provides leadership, direction, guidance and support to production employees and production supervisors for all aspects of the plant operations.
- Communicate with Executive Management team on daily and weekly basis on activities of the plant
- Manage shipping and receiving team to fulfill customer orders in full and on time.
- Provide direction to staff regarding assigned tasks and performance expectations through clear job descriptions, regular performance conversations, coaching, and regular team meetings.
- Monitors the scheduling of equipment and employees to ensure production requirements and delivery times are met
- Develop contingency plans for any orders falling behind to production schedule to ensure on time delivery. Communicate plans to all departments as needed.
- Liaise with Customer Experience to update order progress details. Identify and communicate priorities as needed.
- Responsible to identify alternate scheduling opportunities that will enhance product throughput and reduce inventory and cycle time.
- Assist and troubleshoot issues in facility as they arise - material delays, work order mistakes/questions, label/scanning errors, etc.
- Maintain and develop standard production scheduling, data entry and planning reports.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives, specifically within production planning and scheduling.
- Effectively uses daily production information to track costs, measure trends, and communicate results, positively reinforce success, and initiate corrective action when appropriate
- Perform Root cause Analysis, Troubleshoot issues and lead problem-solving efforts through the facilitation of effective functional and cross-functional teams and on-the-floor leadership to effectively change systems and procedures through the process of Continuous Improvement;
- Ensures the Company’s quality and sanitation standards are met through close liaison with Quality Services, fully participating in the HACCP, SQF audits, etc. as well as frequent review and implementation of Company and Government Policies.
- Identify and lead small capital expenditures projects for the plant.
- Communicate all delays or variances in inbound/outbound product to the appropriate parties.
- Investigate causes of lost or damaged shipments and other matters; adjust where necessary.
- Work with QA and warehousing teams to manage rework, returns, infestation in timely and efficient manner.
- Ensure that all goals, objectives, and KPI’s set by Executive Management are achieved.
- All other duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:

- Post Secondary Education
- College/university, with a focus in business, logistics, process engineering
- At least 5 years of experience in a management role and the successful development of manufacturing and operations personnel (preferably Food and beverage, consumer packaged goods)
- Thorough knowledge of plant and machine operations with emphasis on processing, packaging, and sanitation is an asset
- Knowledgeable with GMP, HACCP and Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards and requirements.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives
- Lean and/or Six Sigma experience and/or certification is a plus
- Self-motivated, results-oriented, possess high degree of initiative, and works well under pressure.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data analysis software
- Excellent mathematical and analytical skills
- Passion for team building and strong conflict resolution skills
- Extensive knowledge of the entire supply chain as well as inventory management principles
- Strong understanding of best practice planning and scheduling processes.
- Excellent ora