Production Planner Trainee

Job Description

Job Description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or business discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Basic understanding of production processes and inventory management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel; familiarity with ERP or planning software is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills in production planning and operations.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and production demands.

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior experience in Dairy/Food manufacturing.
• Prior production planning experience 0 – 2 years

Knowledge and Experience:

• Dairy experience is preferable, otherwise he/she will be trained to know and perform all Company, State and Federal regulations pertaining to the manufacturing and the distribution of dairy products.

Job Summary:

• Working within the limits of authority and within Company policies and procedures, manages the department to meet established production planning tasks and initiatives. The Production Planner is responsible for Scheduling and coordinating the purchasing of raw and packaging materials. Orders all finished products for resale. Plans and schedules daily production. Provides support to the Plant Manager, Assistant Plant Manager, and Senior Production Planner on issues, reports, and projects as needed.

Physical demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulder. The employee may be required to climb and/or balance on ladders.
• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 55 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow and maintain all Safety – Security rules and regulations.
• Follow and enforce all GMP’s and Discipline in the Plant.
• Responsible for working with the milk receivers to properly account for data and inventory.
• Responsible for all purchased products.
• Works with cooler staff to maintain accurate receiving information.
• Works with Cooler Manager to reduce short in cooler and other customer cuts within our control.
• Works with the Production Manager to efficiently schedule production.
• Maintains quality parameters when planning production.
• Works with other departments to maintain proper rotation of various materials.
• Working with all departments to ensure accurate inventories daily, monthly, and yearly.
• Analyzes key performance indicators to make sound business decisions.
• Communicates with other Upstate Plants as well as customers on an as needed basis.
• Responsible for communications with other Plants or Customers.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and evenings when needed.
• Must be detailed orientated with a strong ability to communicate with others.
• Must have strong decision-making skills.
• Must be curious and driven to challenge the status quo.

Pay: $62.4k-$76k/yr.*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.