Production Planner

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Production Planner owns the production schedule and material plan for assigned Lakewood lines, translating Corporate Supply Chain demand into an executable, efficient, and fully supplied plan. The planner works in SAP S/4HANA and Swisslog WMS every day to balance customer service, line efficiency, and inventory investment: sequencing production to minimize changeovers and washouts, keeping raw materials and components flowing from suppliers without shortages or excess inventory, and meeting weekly Brand attainment and plant KPIs within budget.

The ideal candidate is proactive and analytical. They look over the hill, identify supply, capacity, and inventory risks weeks ahead, act before those risks disrupt production, and clearly explain what happened and what is being done when the plan is missed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Production Scheduling & Efficiency

Review the bi-weekly production plan from Corporate Supply Chain Planning and convert it into a feasible, sequenced line schedule based on capacity, staffing, and material availability. Collaborate with Operations (Packaging and Processing)

Sequence production by formulation, bulk, and package size (campaign/wheel scheduling) to minimize downtime and maximize line efficiency (OEE).

Actively identify inefficiencies in the planning/production process (avoidable changeovers, short runs, bulk/fill timing gaps, rework) and recommend/implement improvements

Account for planned maintenance, sanitation/washouts, plant trials (PTRs), and new product starts when building the schedule

Revise production schedules where needed based on component availability, capacity, or demand changes, with clear reasoning and impact

Coordinate production time for Plant Trials (PTRs) and attend Brand Team meetings

Materials, Inventory & Purchasing

Run MRP and act on results daily: convert planned orders and purchase requisitions, place purchase orders, and assign delivery dates based on true production need

Expedite (pull in) or de-expedite (push out) open purchase orders with vendors in a timely manner so there are no production disruptions and no unnecessary inventory build at the plant

Run daily “Hot Items” and open purchase order reports; follow up with vendors on outstanding deliveries and confirm component availability via SAP, Supply Network Collaboration (SNC), or e-mail

Consistently review raw material and component inventory against SAP, WMS, and physical counts; call out and drive resolution of discrepancies with Warehouse, Inventory Control, and Quality

Manage raw material inventory to target levels, monitoring days of supply, aged, expiring, blocked, and excess/obsolete material

Supply weekly demand forecast to vendors via SAP

Issue Requests for Inventory Disposition (RIDs) based on disposal approvals

KPIs, Budget & Reporting

Own and report planning KPIs, including weekly SKU schedule attainment, inventory levels/days of supply, material availability, and changeover/washout impact

Operate within the plant’s inventory and operating budget; support cost reduction by reducing excess inventory, expedite freight, write-offs, and avoidable downtime

Write clear, detailed explanations for schedule misses, production cuts, and material shortages, including root cause, business impact, and corrective/preventive actions

SAP S/4HANA & Master Data

Address all SAP MRP exceptions and maintain MRP health (e.g., lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, rounding values) in partnership with Master Data

Create production Bills of Material and Production Versions in SAP; review and confirm new/changed components in PLM

Process SAP workflow IDOCs and resolve transactional errors that affect planning or receiving

Proactive Planning, Standard Work & Compliance

Look ahead across the planning horizon to diagnose supply, capacity, and inventory risks before they become problems, and escalate early with options

Follow department standard work and planning routines consistently; help document and improve standard work

Adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and demonstrate an understanding of the impact FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) have on our production processes

Participate in all job-related safety training and personally comply with all safety policies and procedures

Perform other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

SAP S/4HANA: Working proficiency in PP/MM planning transactions (e.g., MD04 stock/requirements list, MRP run and exception handling, purchase order creation and maintenance, BOMs and production versions)

Planning fundamentals: Solid understanding of MRP logic, capacity planning, lead times, safety stock, lot sizing, and inventory management principles

Changeover optimization: Ability to sequence by formulation and package size to reduce changeovers and washouts and improve line efficiency

Analytical skills: Advanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data analysis); Power BI and or CoPilot/AI a plus

Written communication: Ability to write clear, concise, fact-based explanations of misses, cuts, and risks for plant and corporate leadership

Proactive ownership: Anticipates problems, acts without being prompted, and follows through to resolution. Follows standard work consistently and attention to detail

Systems: Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams), Warehouse Management System (WMS), PLM, and CLICK applications

Collaboration: Builds positive working relationships with Operations, Quality, Warehouse, Procurement, vendors, and Corporate Supply Chain

Prioritization: Manages competing priorities and makes sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Minimum 2–3 years production planning, production scheduling, or MRP/materials planning experience in a manufacturing environment (warehouse, inventory control, or logistics experience alone does not meet this requirement)

Demonstrated hands-on experience planning in SAP (S/4HANA strongly preferred)

Demonstrated experience meeting KPIs and working within a budget or inventory target

Experience placing and managing purchase orders and working directly with suppliers on delivery dates

Preferred

ASCM/APICS CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) or CSCP certification, or actively pursuing

Experience in consumer packaged goods, OTC healthcare/drug, personal care, or other FDA/cGMP-regulated manufacturing

Lean or Six Sigma training (Yellow/Green Belt)

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $67,300-$105,100. This position is also eligible for a bonus.

As a Church & Dwight US employee, you (and eligible dependents, as applicable) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and Paid Parental Leave. U.S. employees are entitled to paid holidays, floating holidays, and vacation days starting in their first year of employment depending on hire date. You are also able to participate in our 401k retirement plan (with company match and profit-sharing) and Discounted Employee