About Sakata: Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America was established in 1977 as a research, production and sales division of Sakata Seed Corporation. Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America is headquartered in Woodland, CA. Our research facilities include stations in Salinas, California; Yuma, Arizona; Burlington, Washington; and Fort Myers, Florida. These facilities focus on vegetable breeding and trialing. Today, we continue to challenge ourselves to be the industry leader for innovation, quality, reliability and service. 

LOCATION: Woodland, California

JOB SUMMARY:

The Operations Planning Manager oversees the planning and management of raw materials and finished products to proactively ensure QUOTIF and inventory accuracy and optimal levels. As the expert in demand and capacity planning, the manager supports key projects, including monthly demand plans, operations capacity optimization, integration of new businesses, and new product launches. This leader facilitates Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings, ensuring team alignment and focus. The role involves leading the operations planning team and processes, inventory control, and distribution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

S&OP:

• Facilitate regular S&OP meetings to align sales, production, QA, and operations to meet short-term sales demand.
• Analyze S&OP performance metrics to identify areas of improvement, notifying key stakeholders of issues, and work towards resolution.
• Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as forecast accuracy, on-time delivery, and inventory turnover.
• Ensure effective capacity planning, to meet customer demand, optimize resource utilization, and maintain operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with sales, production, quality control, and operations teams to develop and execute plans that meet customer demand while optimizing resource utilization.

Raw Material Planning:

• Manage the process for releasing new commercial and experimental crop to inventory, ensuring timely and efficient processing of milling & disinfection orders and quality testing.
• Provide on-time quality reporting to production teams regarding new crop quality according to the communication matrix.
• Oversee Contract Production Sales ensuring on-time delivery of crop to Sakata subsidiaries.

Finished Goods Planning:

• Manage the process for finished goods planning, ensuring timely and efficient processing of work orders to proactively ensure QUOTIF to meet sales demand.
• Monitor orders in progress to ensure on-time completion or promptly communicate delays to key stakeholders and work to resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Oversee USDA on-site lot inspection process for commercial and stockseed in Woodland, CA and Burlington, WA for export.

Distribution:

• Facilitate meetings between Finished Goods Planning and Sales to align on distribution forecast requirements.
• Manage the distribution process to ensure timely and accurate delivery of products distribution centers and customers.
• Monitor inventory levels to ensure adequate packed stock is available in all distribution warehouses.
• Develop strategies to improve distribution efficiency and reduce transportation costs.

Inventory Management:

• Develop and implement inventory management strategies to prevent stockouts and overstock situations.
• Review cyclic germ testing to ensure commercial and experimental lots receive quality updates twice annually according to AOSA rules.
• Ensure inventory lot information is maintained and up to date for all lots, raw material and finished goods
• Generate monthly reports of key changes in inventory levels and report back to supply planning team.

Budget Management:

• Oversee budget creation and management for assigned departments.
• Lead reviews and approvals for budget spending, labor and material efficiency, departmental effectiveness, and human resource utilization.

Performance Management:

• Assures a positive employee experience is maintained and the company’s principles, policies and programs are consistently practiced.
• Directs, monitors, and appraises the performance of Operations Planning team.
• Identifies training needs and initiates career development of direct reports.
• Keeps employees informed as to company and department plans and progress.
• Ensures that duties, responsibilities, authority, and accountability of all direct reports is defined and understood.

* To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Educational Background: BA or BS degree in business administration or a related field required
• Experience: Minimum of five years of related experience and a minimum of five years of high-level administrative experience in a coordinator or supervisory role.
• Record Keeping: Excellent ability to maintain accurate records, data collection, and reporting with a keen attention to detail.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead business projects and supervise employees to achieve company goals.
• ERP Knowledge: Basic knowledge of ERP setup and costing.
• Communication Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in word-processing and spreadsheet software, capable of preparing a variety of correspondence and reports accurately.
• Professional Interaction: Ability to interact professionally and effectively with management and colleagues, even under stressful conditions.
• Self-Motivation: Highly self-motivated with strong analytical and reasoning abilities.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with operating procedures and processes in the seed industry or a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Planning Systems: Knowledge of Material Resource Planning Systems or Enterprise Planning Systems
• Stress Management: Ability to handle stress, manage deadlines, and high workloads effectively.
• Character Traits: Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, cultural and gender sensitivity, and honesty.
• Organizational Skills: This position requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
• Track Record: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in logistics planning and inventory management.
• Leadership: Strong leadership and team-building skills are essential for success in this role.

HIGHLY PREFERRED:

• Advanced degree or certification in a related field.
• Experience with D365 and advanced planning tools.
• Seed Industry experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to type and or work at a computer terminal for long periods of time.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $74,400-$105,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401K)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure.
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service of FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps

APPLICATION

To apply, send resume to HR@sakata.com

Website: http://www.sakata.com

Published: August 6, 2024