Production Planner Scheduler

Shank's, a subsidiary of Universal Ingredients, is a premier manufacturer of vanilla extracts, other extracts, natural and artificial flavors, food colors, syrups, and sauces. Shank's quality products are widely distributed to industrial, private-label, and grocery customers worldwide.

Universal Ingredients

Universal Ingredients is a global supplier of high-quality, plant-based specialty ingredients for human and pet consumption. With thousands of products and global sourcing capabilities, we provide customized, value-added solutions - including fruit and vegetable juices and concentrates, dehydrated ingredients, botanical extracts, flavors, and beverage systems - for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide.

Our advanced production capabilities, including aseptic beverage processing and flexible packaging solutions, enable safe, shelf-stable products with no preservatives. At the heart of our innovation is our Application Capabilities Lab, where food science experts collaborate with customers to develop market-ready solutions through product development, flavor analysis, sensory testing, and commercialization support.

Driven by innovation, sustainability, and partnership, Universal Ingredients helps customers stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences while delivering consistent quality, functionality, and performance across global markets.

Available Immediately Upon Hire: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, EAP, ID Theft, 401K, and PTO.

Disclaimer: Shank's Extracts manufactures various products that identify as major food allergens (milk, eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans) as well as several other food ingredients. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to skin and/or odor contact with these various ingredients. Your health and safety are our number one priority, and we will do our best to accommodate within reason.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

The primary purpose of this position is to manage all aspects of production planning, new product integration and sales demand forecasting. The production scheduler's functions are to organize, manage and schedule production needs, to meet customer's requested delivery dates. Their capabilities ensure that our production team can meet company goals and objectives by the deadline without sacrificing performance quality.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages collection and maintenance of Sales Forecast from sales / customer service team
• Analyze data to proactively forecast product and material demands
• Organizing and prioritizing customer orders to run in production
• Analyzing availability of materials to run production
• Coordinating with purchasing department to advise if materials need purchase
• Coordinating with customer service department to advise of potential customer delays in production
• Utilizing ERP to check material availability, enter in jobs for production to run, ensure scheduled jobs are running properly to the determined schedule, analyzing stock levels for finished goods.
• Coordinating with Quality Dept on required raw material, liquid, and finished good status
• Coordinating with the Warehouse Dept on movement of materials
• Generation of the priority list in order to communicate to all department stakeholders on what is the most important production lines to focus resources in order to complete customer orders
• Coordinating with production mechanics in order to analyze timeframe to complete mechanical repairs on production lines
• Utilizing Excel to input and analyze data in order to complete scheduling tasks
• Utilizing Outlook to send/receive email communication regarding customer orders and scheduling.
• Performs other assigned tasks

ESSENTIAL/SKILLS NEEDED:

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to interact well with a variety of department stakeholders.
• Background in production scheduling
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Experience in working alone with little supervision and exhibiting a high degree of judgment and self-management.
• Computer literate with knowledge of basic business applications such as MS Word, Excel and able to learn new software quickly.
• Strong basic math skills
• Strong Email etiquette
• Strong Analytical skills
• Strong ERP experience
• Must be team oriented and put team success ahead of all personal success
• Ability to thrive in fast paced, ever-changing environment consistent with rapid growth
• Ability to manage change and implement systems as needed to execute

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Highschool Diploma or equivalent

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires the physical ability to operate the computer, walk around the various work areas and climb stairs to interact with employees, average hearing to be able to talk and listen to employees, and visual ability (corrected or uncorrected) to see the computer, review shipment orders, and other documents.
• Must be able to lift 10 lbs.
• Clean, air-conditioned, smoke-free, dust-free, and dry work area with some odors and fumes in the production and administration areas.
• Exposure to food allergens such as, but not limited to, milk eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans will occur.

Conduct, Quality, Integrity, and Culture

Conduct: We will conduct every aspect of our business with honesty, integrity, and openness, respecting human rights and the interests of our employees, customers, and third parties.

Quality: Shank's is committed to food safety and product quality. We employ extensive food safety programs and controls at all levels. Our quality standards and food safety procedures are thoroughly being evaluated internally and externally. We continuously strive to improve our performance.

Integrity: Shank's and its employees will not offer, give, seek or receive, either directly or indirectly, improper inducements for business or financial gain. Where information is confidential, that confidentiality must be protected.

Culture: Shank's respects the cultural values of our employees, contractors, and customers. We also promote a balanced work-life environment. We recognize and celebrate our employees for their hard work and the contributions they make to our company.

Shanks Core Values:

ASPIRATION: Share a vision for achievement

ACCOUNTABILITY: Support company reputation

ADAPTABILITY: Evolve to meet business needs

• Competitive compensation and benefits package*

Shank's Extracts, LLC d/b/a Universal Ingredients - Shank's is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Employer.