Posted on 22 Feb 2026

Planning Engineer

Maryland City, MD
Permanent
$95,000 - $115,000

A well-established food manufacturing company is seeking a skilled Production Planning Engineer to join its operations team. This individual will play a critical role in creating and maintaining production schedules that align with sales forecasts, inventory targets, and resource availability. The position involves close coordination with cross-functional teams and requires a strong understanding of cold chain logistics and seasonal production planning, particularly relevant in frozen food or ice cream manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage detailed production schedules that meet forecasted demain and maintain inventory balance.
  • Coordinate with procurement, production, maintenance, and quality departments to ensure timely material availability and production readiness.
  • Monitor daily performance and adjust schedules in response to unplanned events or downtime.
  • Perform capacity planning to ensure manufacturing capability meets market demand.
  • Optimize inventory levels across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods will minimizing losses and obsolescence.
  • Generate and analyze planning reports to improve forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and quality standards in all planning operations.
  • Plan for new product launches, ensuring readiness of resources and timelines.
  • Support logistics planning to ensure efficient and compliant cold chain distribution.
  • Use production planning and ERP tools (e.g., JDE or similar systems) to manage and track planning activities. 

Key Competencies & Behaviours 

  • Adaptability: Quickly adjusts to shifting priorities, new responsibilities, and task requirements.
  • Effective Communicator: Clearly presents ideas, actively listens, and collaborates across departments.
  • Team-Oriented: Work cooperatively within and beyond formal reporting lines.
  • Performance Driven: Continuously looks for more efficient and effective ways of working.
  • Hands-On: Makes decisions based on firsthand involvement, not just reports.
  • Quality-Focused: Maintains high standards in hygiene, process efficiency, and product quality.
  • Proactive/Entrepreneurial Mindset: Challenges the status quo and seeks continuous improvement.
  • Process Knowledge: Committed to building deep expertise in product and manufacturing processes.
  • Accountable: Takes ownership and contributes meaningfully to overall business success.
  • Customer/Consumer Focused: Ensures products meet agreed quality standards.
  • People Centric: Builds strong relationships with team members and understands individual strengths.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 2 years' experience in production or supply chain planning, ideally in the FMCG or food sector.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing environments involving perishable or frozen goods.
  • Proficient in ERP and planning software.
  • Strong analytical and organizaitonal skills.
  • Excellent coordination and communication abilities.
  • Able to remain effective under pressure and adapt to dynamic needs.

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Shift

  • 10hr Shift // 8hr Shift // Day Shift // Evening Shift // Overtime 
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