As part of the Russell Stover Supply Chain Planning Team, the Production Planner will be responsible for effectively coordinating the materials, production and distribution of manufactured part components. The Production Planner will have overall accountability for assigned product groups with regard to their timely manufacture and availability. This will include daily communication with all areas of Operations to include Executive Staff. This position will improve global service levels, help increase sales, and reduce system cost by making multiple critical decisions which impact the production plan, inventory levels, service levels, and supply chain costs.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provides production requirements to plants/co-packers fro product groups/work centers as assigned
• Determines future plant production needs based off of current sales plan, production capacity, and inventory targets for assigned product parts.
• Communicates needs to plant manager while working through capacity constraints and aligns factory calendars
• Identifies material risks to customer service, gaps between required and available production capacity and leads efforts to resolve related issues for assigned product groups/work centers.
• Develops systems expertise and continuously improves the use of our planning systems.
• Reviews results and makes adjustments to ensure lowest cost and maximum customer service are delivered.

TO BE CONSIDERED AN APPLICANT FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SHOW HOW YOU MEET THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE REQUIREMENTS

Basic Qualifications

• At least one year of supply chain/operations management experience
• Working knowledge of supply chain policies and practices such as MPS, MRP, DRP and/or demand planning
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Excel, Word

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Marketing, Statistics, Business, Operations Management, Finance, Information Technology
• 3+ years in Supply Chain / Operations
• Intermediate to advanced proficiencies in Microsoft Access / Access / PowerPoint
• Working knowledge of Supply Chain policies and practices, Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• CPG (fast-moving consumer goods) experience in supply chain, MRP, forecasting, and/or logistics
• Experience using SAP
• Problem-solving, analytical skills and ability to use decision-making processes and judgment
• Strong interpersonal skills: Will work with many functions within Russell Stover to be successful, including sales, customer service, operations and logistics
• Ability to work across departments and across levels within an organization
• Ability to work directly with Russell Stover customers; must possess leadership qualities and the ability to maintain / build relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and stressful situations effectively, adapt to changing priorities, and respond with urgency to requests while remaining focused on strategic imperatives.
• Strong systems acumen with ability to adapt and apply.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply business processes through previous work experience and / or related course work.
• Strong oral and written communication abilities

Company Description
Russell Stover Chocolates is the nation’s leading manufacturer of boxed chocolates.  The company’s three brands – Russell Stover, Whitman’s and Pangburn’s - account for more than 60 percent of all boxed chocolate sales in the United States through 30+ company-owned retail stores and 70,000 wholesale accounts. After nearly 100 years in operation the company manufactures approximately 100 million pounds of chocolate candies each year in its proud tradition of being “Made in America” and “Handcrafted in Small Batches”.    

In September 2014, Russell Stover Chocolates was acquired by Lindt and Sprungli, the world leader in premium chocolates.   This was the largest acquisition in the history of Lindt and Sprungli which has operations in over 40 countries across the globe.  Russell Stover Chocolates joins sister companies Lindt USA and Ghirardelli to form a powerful confectionery triad in North America.  

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Russell Stover Chocolates is an EOE/MINORITY/FEMALE/VET/DISABLED  employer. Principals only please.