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Production Planning Associate

Walnut CA

About Misfits Market:

Misfits Market is a mission-driven, high-growth startup dedicated to reducing food waste and making shopping for sustainable, high-quality groceries easier and more affordable. We deliver organic produce, high-quality meats and seafood, plant-based proteins, dairy, bakery, wine, and other grocery items to nearly every zip code in 48 states at up to 30 percent off traditional grocery store prices. In 2022, Misfits Market acquired sustainable e-grocer Imperfect Foods and now leverages its in-house transportation network to deliver directly to consumers with one of the most carbon-efficient grocery delivery models on the market. By tackling inefficiencies in the food system, our passionate and motivated team of problem solvers helps save an average of 500,000 pounds of food per week from waste or lesser outcomes, with an all-time savings of 190+ million pounds of food.

As Misfits we support our customers and mission by embracing our core values of

Prioritizing our Customers                             

Doing more with less

Thinking Differently         

Respecting one another                             

Moving deliberately and quickly                   

Taking initiative and delivering 

About Role:

The Production Planning Associate will be the critical link between customer demand and operational execution. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules that maximize efficiency, meet customer fulfillment targets, and minimize waste. This role requires a unique blend of technical data analysis and "shop-floor" collaboration. You must understand the mechanics of how a product is made, the constraints of food safety/sanitation, and the logistical complexities of third-party fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Production Scheduling & Fulfillment
  • Develop and execute weekly and daily production schedules for multiple lines, balancing labor availability, machine capacity, and material readiness.
  • Monitor "Order-to-Ship" cycles to ensure 100% on-time fulfillment for third-party clients and retail partners.
  • Manage the transition between different product runs, accounting for allergen washdowns and sanitation cycles (specific to food manufacturing).
  • Adjust schedules in real-time to account for equipment downtime, labor shortages, or urgent "hot" orders.
  1. Technical Systems & Data Management
  • Serve as the "Power User" for the ERP/MRP system (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics and homegrown systems), ensuring data integrity for BOMs (Bills of Materials) and inventory levels.
  • Analyze historical data to identify trends in production yields and fulfillment lags, using these insights to improve scheduling accuracy.
  • Automate reporting for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Schedule Attainment, and Scrap Rates.
  1. Cross-Functional Operations Collaboration
  • Act as the primary liaison between the Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams.
  • Lead daily "Production Kick-off" meetings to communicate the plan to floor supervisors and troubleshoot potential bottlenecks.
  • Work closely with Procurement to ensure raw ingredients and packaging materials are staged and ready for production, preventing "stock-outs" that stall fulfillment.
  1. Process Improvement & Lean Initiatives
  • Identify opportunities to reduce "Changeover Time" (SMED) and improve throughput using Lean methodologies.
  • Partner with Engineering to optimize line layouts for new product launches or packaging configurations.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
  • Professional Experience: 2–5 years of experience in a production planning or fulfillment role within a manufacturing environment.
  • Industry Knowledge: Direct experience in Food & Beverage Manufacturing (understanding SQF, BRC, or FDA regulations) or 3PL/Contract Manufacturing is highly preferred.
  • Technical Skills: * Advanced proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Data Modeling).
    • Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP software.
    • Strong understanding of "Flow" (the physical movement of goods through a plant).

Desired Qualifications & Competencies

  • Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Yellow Belt (preferred).
  • Communication: Ability to translate complex data into actionable instructions for shop-floor personnel.
  • Problem Solving: A "Technical Mindset" with the ability to troubleshoot mechanical constraints that affect the production schedule.
  • Agility: Comfort working in a high-pressure environment where schedules change rapidly due to client demands or supply chain disruptions.

Details of Position & Benefits:

  • Salary range: $80,000 - $85,000 
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) 
  • Annual Misfits grocery box credit of $1200 paid in weekly installments
  • Life insurance
  • Paid vacation time
  • Paid holidays 
  • Paid sick days
  • Commuter benefits

Please see here for Misfits Market's Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

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