Planning and Procurement Specialist

Position Summary  

The Production Planning and Purchasing Specialist will support production planning and procurement coordination in a dynamic and fast-paced contract manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for transforming customer orders and sales forecasts into efficient, executable production plans while ensuring the seamless flow of materials and ingredients. In a rapidly changing environment, the ability to continuously adjust production plans in response to shifting priorities, capacity changes, and customer demands is essential. This role is integral to the coordination between production, procurement, and the broader supply chain, ensuring that materials are available, and production schedules align with evolving business needs.  

With accountability for inventory levels, procurement strategy, production planning, cost and waste you will play a crucial role in scaling operations and optimizing workflows.  

Working Relationships 

This role will split customer and product coverage with the Planning and Purchasing Manager to coordinate the overall production plans and meet the needs of our diverse customers. Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers and contract customers, is critical to the role. 

Duties & Responsibilities(other duties may be assigned)

Production & Supply Planning  

• Develop and execute the production plan based on customer orders, sales forecasts, inventory levels and plant capacity, adjusting as needed to address real-time production demands and supply chain constraints. 

• Align production scheduling with material availability, ensuring on-time order fulfillment and minimizing inefficiencies.  

• Support efficient execution of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, driving alignment between sales, operations, and procurement to ensure accurate forecasting and execution, while securing executive approval on strategic decisions. 

• Monitor inventory levels, develop and deploy processes to avoid material-related production delays and product stockouts and obsolescence. 

• Track and analyze key supply chain performance indicators, identifying areas for improvement and efficiency gains and support management reporting.  

• Lead Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to align procurement, production scheduling, and inventory management with business needs.  

• Ensure high plan attainment metrics (e.g., production schedule performance, fill rates), while minimizing financial variances, excess inventory, and production delays.  

• Create supporting items, Bill of Materials (BOMs), work orders and production orders to support execution.  

• Drive the above within the ERP system.   

Procurement & Supplier Management  

• Support the Procurement function and strategies, ensuring timely and cost-effective sourcing of materials and services to meet production demands. 

• Cultivate and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiate favorable terms, and onboard new vendors as needed.  

• Collaborate closely with Operations, Sales, and Accounting teams to optimize purchasing decisions and inventory control.  

Collaboration & Communication  

• Maintain a customer service mindset in all interactions with external partners, ensuring effective communication and proactive resolution of any issues or challenges that arise. 

• Partner with internal teams to ensure production plans align with business priorities, balancing efficiency with responsiveness to changes 

• Ensure real-time ERP data accuracy, including tracking material movements and financial transactions, to maintain accurate inventory and financial records, ensuring physical and system movements and transactions are coincident. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, supporting both internal teams and external stakeholders in the supply chain. 

Compliance 

• Follow food safety policies and ensure GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) compliance in all facets of supplier management and recordkeeping. 

• Follow and ensure compliance with federal and state alcohol agencies TTB, OLCC etc.  

Qualifications 

• 4+ years of experience in production planning, procurement, and S&OP, preferably in the beverage or CPG industry. 

• Proven ability to build and execute production schedules that align procurement, production, and sales. 

• Strong analytical skills, with experience in demand planning, inventory management, and forecasting. 

• Proficiency in ERP systems (NetSuite experience is a plus). 

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with experience managing suppliers and contract customers. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• This role will require time on the production floor, often daily, in addition to office time. Production environment can be loud, fast-paced and subject to temperature fluctuations. PPE is required including safety glasses, hard hat, reinforced toe safety shoes, hair nets and hearing protection. 
• Work on the production floor may include bending, reaching, kneeling and lifting.