Production Planner

Job Title: Production Planner

Reports To: Supply Chain Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary:

• As the Production Planner you are responsible for developing, coordinating, and optimizing production schedules for nutraceutical gummy manufacturing. This role ensures all ingredients, active materials, equipment, personnel, and packaging components are available to meet forecasted demand while maintaining strict compliance with cGMP, FDA, and quality standards. The Production Planner partners with Operations, Quality, Procurement, R&D, and Supply Chain teams to ensure efficient, compliant, and on‑time production across all gummy lines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules for gummy cooking, depositing, curing, demolding, oiling, and packaging lines.
• Plan batches based on ingredient potency, active material availability, run sizes, changeovers, allergen segregation, and cGMP cleaning requirements.
• Adjust schedules proactively in response to material shortages, equipment downtime, quality holds, or updated demand forecasts.
• Ensure curing‑room time, temperature, humidity, and capacity requirements are factored into the production plan.
• Forecast raw material needs including pectin/gelatin systems, sugars, acids, flavors, colors, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and other dietary active ingredients.
• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely ordering and delivery of raw materials, ensuring COAs, lot numbers, potency data, and testing documentation are on file.
• Manage inventory of WIP (curing gummies, bulk product, staged batches) to prevent bottlenecks or material expiry.
• Ensure FEFO/lot traceability practices are followed in all planning decisions.
• Plan production in alignment with cGMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 111, HACCP, and internal quality system requirements.
• Work with QA to ensure scheduled batches align with sampling/testing timelines and product release.
• Maintain accurate batch records, manufacturing orders, and ERP/MRP entries to support audits, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure production planning supports allergen control, sanitation cycles, and validated cleaning procedures.
• Partner with Production Supervisors and Operations Managers to confirm staffing, training, and shift coverage required for the planned runs.
• Collaborate with R&D on scale‑up batches, pilot runs, and reformulations to integrate them into the production schedule.
• Work with Maintenance to coordinate preventative maintenance windows with minimal disruption to output.
• Track KPI metrics such as on‑time production, throughput, line efficiency, scrap, and schedule adherence.
• Analyze trends to identify bottlenecks and propose process improvements.
• Participate in daily production meetings to review progress, challenges, and upcoming priorities.
• Support new product launches by planning pilot runs, scale‑ups, and validation batches.

Qualifications:

• 2–4 years of experience in production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing—preferably in nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, food, or confectionery.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 111 (dietary supplement regulations), and general quality systems.
• Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems and advanced Excel.
• Problem‑solving mindset with the ability to adjust plans quickly, strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, highly regulated environment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred but not required, English is required.

Additional Skills: 

• Experience specifically in gummy manufacturing or vitamin/supplement production.
• Familiarity with potency calculations, yield loss, and active material overage planning.
• Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, and other food safety frameworks.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: GummyWorks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.