Supply Planning Manager

The Role

We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Supply Planning Manager to lead and optimize the master production schedule across our multi-site contract manufacturing network. This role plays a critical function in balancing customer demand, supply chain capacity, and inventory objectives while driving process efficiency and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where agility, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership are key.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning (Innovation, Results)

• Develop, maintain, and execute the long-term master production schedule, ensuring alignment with demand forecasts, inventory strategies, and manufacturing constraints across multiple sites.

• Conduct capacity planning to optimize resource allocation and ensure production levels meet business growth objectives.

• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and internal teams to ensure schedules are executed efficiently and proactively adjust for anticipated disruptions or demand fluctuations.

• Balance short-term execution needs with long-term scalability, applying a Builder Mindset to develop scheduling capabilities for future growth.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Supply Chain Optimization (Collaboration, Integrity)

• Partner with demand planning, sales, procurement, and supply chain teams to integrate production planning with market demand and inventory targets.

• Identify and mitigate potential supply chain bottlenecks, developing alternative production scenarios as needed.

• Provide guidance to local production schedulers, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and adapting schedules as business conditions evolve.

• Foster transparent, solutions-oriented communication, ensuring that scheduling decisions align with the company’s commitment to integrity and operational excellence.

Inventory & Materials Planning (Results, Curiosity)

• Balance inventory levels, safety stock, and working capital objectives by ensuring production schedules align with supply chain constraints.

• Work closely with warehousing, distribution, and procurement teams to ensure the timely availability of raw materials and packaging.

• Minimize waste, excess inventory, and obsolete stock through proactive planning and a curious, problem-solving mindset.

Contract Manufacturer & Vendor Management (Collaboration, Integrity)

• Act as the primary point of contact for contract manufacturers regarding production scheduling, capacity planning, and performance tracking.

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with manufacturing partners to enhance scheduling flexibility and responsiveness.

• Monitor and improve schedule adherence and lead-time performance, ensuring execution aligns with Kinder’s values of accountability and teamwork.

Data-Driven Decision Making & KPI Tracking (Results, Curiosity)

• Analyze production performance, schedule adherence, and capacity utilization metrics to identify efficiency opportunities.

• Develop and maintain real-time dashboards and reports to track master scheduling effectiveness.

• Implement data-driven process improvements to reduce lead times, improve forecast accuracy, and optimize scheduling efficiency.

• Approach challenges with curiosity, leveraging data to ask the right questions and drive innovative solutions.

Process Improvement & ERP System Optimization (Innovation, Builder Mindset)

• Continuously identify and implement best practices in master scheduling to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance supply chain visibility.

• Leverage ERP and advanced planning tools to improve scheduling accuracy, visibility, and responsiveness.

• Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and business growth.

• Demonstrate a "Builder Mindset", balancing immediate execution with the development of long-term capabilities that will scale with company growth.

Who Will Excel in This Role at Kinder’s

Success in this role isn’t just about building schedules—it’s about building solutions, relationships, and efficiencies that drive Kinder’s forward. The right person will find this role fulfilling if they:

✔ Thrive in Complexity & See the Big Picture – You can balance short-term execution with long-term strategic thinking, ensuring production schedules not only meet today’s needs but support scalable, sustainable growth.

✔ Operate with Integrity & Ownership – You take pride in delivering accurate, reliable schedules and ensure alignment with business priorities, supplier relationships, and operational goals—even when the details get tough.

✔ Love Data-Driven Problem Solving – You instinctively dive into numbers, trends, and performance data to identify scheduling bottlenecks, forecast demand shifts, and recommend smart adjustments. You know that the best solutions start with asking the right questions.

✔ Excel in Cross-Functional Collaboration – You don’t just share schedules—you build alignment across sales, supply chain, and manufacturing teams. You believe that the best outcomes come from working together transparently and proactively.

✔ Embrace Innovation & Continuous Improvement – You are always looking for ways to optimize processes, reduce inefficiencies, and leverage technology to drive scheduling accuracy and flexibility. You understand that what worked yesterday won’t necessarily work tomorrow—and you love finding a better way.

✔ Stay Resilient & Adapt with Agility – The nature of production scheduling means things will change—supply chain constraints, last-minute demand spikes, and unforeseen delays. You adjust quickly, solve problems efficiently, and keep moving forward with a solutions-oriented mindset.

✔ Find Satisfaction in Delivering Results – At Kinder’s, we value execution as much as strategy. You’ll find fulfillment in knowing that your ability to plan and execute effectively helps get high-quality products into customers’ hands on time, every time.

Qualifications & Experience