Production Planner – Food Manufacturing

Do you excel at organization and at turning operational needs into efficient, realistic production plans? Are you comfortable working in the food industry, where priorities can shift quickly and coordination between teams is essential? Do you know how to keep the big picture in mind while closely monitoring material availability, production capacity and inventory levels? We have the opportunity for you!

Our client, an Ontario-based company in the food industry, is currently looking for a Food Production Planner to join its team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules based on customer orders, demand forecasts and operational constraints. You will work closely with several departments to ensure production continuity, efficient equipment utilization, and effective management of raw materials, finished goods and inventory.

**This posting is for a newly created position and is actively being recruited for.**

**Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support the candidate screening and selection process.**

Responsibilities include:

• Plan short-, medium- and long-term production activities based on operational requirements and established priorities.
• Translate customer orders and sales forecasts into production requirements.
• Determine production sequences to optimize equipment utilization and available manufacturing capacity.
• Anticipate requirements for raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials to support uninterrupted production.
• Assess finished goods storage capacity and incorporate warehouse constraints into production planning.
• Coordinate activities with Purchasing, Warehouse, Production, Maintenance and Quality Assurance teams.
• Identify constraints that could affect production and work with the appropriate teams to implement necessary adjustments.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules based on results, changing priorities and operational needs.
• Reschedule production sequences when unexpected issues arise, including equipment breakdowns, material shortages or changes in customer demand.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production requirements while minimizing excess stock.
• Optimize product rotation to reduce losses related to shelf life and expiry dates.
• Perform any other related duties.

What does this position offer?

• A family-oriented, collaborative work environment focused on teamwork and mutual support.
• 4 weeks of vacation per year.
• Competitive salary plus bonus.
• The opportunity to join a growing Canadian company in the food industry.
• A role with a direct impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Opportunities for growth within the company.
• On-site parking.
• Workplace accessible by public transit.
• Company laptop provided.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of production planning experience in the food manufacturing industry.
• College diploma or bachelor’s degree in operations management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, manufacturing processes and contingency planning for operational disruptions such as equipment breakdowns, labour shortages and supply issues.
• Experience with inventory management and demand planning.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, as well as ERP systems.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills; knowledge of French is considered an asset.
• Occasional availability outside regular business hours to address operational emergencies.
• Knowledge of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations applicable to food products is an asset.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement principles is an asset.

Salary: $75,000 to $100,000 per year + bonus.

Schedule: Day shift, Monday to Friday.

Status: Permanent.