Senior Planning Associate
HelloFresh · Aurora · $74,813–$83,125 (stated in the posting)
You Are…
- You’re a structured thinker who turns ambiguous operational problems into clear, data‑backed plans. You break complexity into actionable steps and communicate the “why,” “what,” and “how” with clarity.
- You bring hands‑on experience in production or supply chain planning within manufacturing or fulfillment environments. You understand how daily decisions ripple across inventory, labor, capacity, and customer experience.
- You’re fluent in Excel or Google Sheets — pivot tables, scenario modeling, and automation are second nature.
- You’re comfortable working with ERP/MRP systems and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar). You know how to pull, clean, and interpret data to drive operational alignment.
- You’re a clear communicator who can bridge operations and analytics audiences. You translate data into narratives that help partners understand risks, tradeoffs, and recommended actions.
- You stay calm and solutions‑oriented during escalations. You can assess the situation quickly, communicate contingency plans, and guide teams through last‑minute pivots without losing composure.
- You collaborate effectively with both internal and external partners. You build trust, maintain strong working relationships, and ensure alignment across production, fulfillment, vendors, and cross‑functional teams.
- You’re self‑directed and proactive — you identify the most important problems before being asked. You anticipate risks, surface insights early, and drive continuous improvement.
- You care deeply about data integrity and process excellence.
You Will…
- Own weekly and monthly production and capacity plans that align demand forecasts with operational, labor, and equipment constraints.
- Develop and maintain master production schedules for pick‑and‑pack fulfillment operations, incorporating headcount, equipment availability, throughput assumptions, and daily readiness inputs.
- Lead or support S&OP processes by consolidating demand, supply, and operations inputs into actionable daily and weekly plans that drive alignment across the network.
- Manage daily and weekly plan attainment for co‑manufacturers and fulfillment sites, including in‑week replanning when inputs deviate from forecast (labor, materials, equipment, or throughput).
- Ensure ingredient and SKU readiness by validating availability, shelf‑life windows, and production feasibility ahead of each cycle.
- Maintain meal availability across the fulfillment network through proactive balancing of production, inventory, and transfers across sites.
- Monitor and mitigate operational risks including shortages, shelf‑life constraints, labor bottlenecks, machine downtime, and throughput variability; model scenarios and communicate clear contingency plans.
- Maintain data integrity across ERP/MRP and planning systems to ensure accurate inventory, capacity, and service‑level reporting.
- Track and reconcile weekly/monthly KPIs against targets; update planning rates and assumptions to reflect current plant capabilities and performance trends.
- Partner with procurement and replenishment teams to manage inventory stock transfers, optimize network balancing, and minimize waste.
- Identify and drive improvements to planning processes, tools, and workflows, including automation opportunities that increase accuracy, speed, and scalability.
- Lead or contribute to cross‑functional special projects as the supply chain planning subject‑matter expert, supporting initiatives across production, fulfillment, procurement, and analytics.
At a Minimum, You Have…
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Statistics, Mathematics, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field with 2-3 years relevant experience in production planning, detailed scheduling , replenishment planning, demand planning or materials management required OR Associates degree with 3 to 5 years relevant experience in production planning, detailed scheduling , replenishment planning, demand planning or materials management required
- Food and Beverage manufacturing industry experience preferred
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands on time required
- APICS or CPIM certification a plus
- Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills required
You’ll get…
- Competitive hourly rate, 401K company match that vests immediately upon participation, & team bonus opportunities
- Generous PTO and flexible attendance policy
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
- Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)
- Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
- Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.
Illinois Pay Range
$74,813—$83,125 USD