Job Description

Job Purpose and Impact

The Senior Production Planner plays a critical role within our Manufacturing and Supply Chain organization, serving as a key connector between demand, capacity, and execution. This role is responsible for converting the long-term demand plan into a monthly supply plan designed to support high service levels and unconstrained customer demand, while balancing cost, capacity, and operational constraints.

Beyond technical planning responsibilities, this role requires strong leadership and influence to guide cross-functional teams through the complexity required to translate plans into actionable weekly and daily execution. The Senior Production Planner leads through ambiguity, disruption, and change, and is relied upon as a primary problem solver during supply chain or operational disruptions. Success in this role requires the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments while building trusted relationships across plant leadership, sales, and supply chain partners.

Key Accountabilities

• Convert long-term demand plans into monthly and weekly master production plans that enable effective material planning, staffing alignment, and operational execution.
• Serve as a core contributor and leader within the Cargill Integrated Business Planning (CIBP) process, providing insight into 12-24 month demand versus capacity outlooks, identifying risks and opportunities, and developing actionable recommendations.
• Lead analysis and decision-making related to capacity constraints, over- or under-utilization, overtime, support feed, and network balancing to optimize service and cost performance.
• Actively evaluate manufacturing network performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce changeovers, optimize run strategies, and improve overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with plant leadership, sales teams, and cross-functional partners to align priorities and drive execution.
• Serve as a key problem solver during supply chain, operational, or planning disruptions, often leading efforts to resolve complex and time-sensitive situations that may involve high levels of ambiguity or urgency.
• Engage closely with plant teams at both a tactical and strategic level, translating plans into clear, actionable direction and ensuring understanding and alignment.
• Provide direct input into master production planning metrics, targets, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Independently manage complex issues with minimal supervision, escalating only the most critical or enterprise-impacting decisions as appropriate.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply planning, master scheduling, or a closely related supply chain role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in production planning, master scheduling, integrated business planning (IBP), or end-to-end supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex planning challenges, balance competing priorities, and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience using SAP, SAP IBP, or similar planning systems to support planning, capacity analysis, and decision-making.
• Proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience working in fast-paced, changing environments while balancing customer service, operational performance, and cost objectives.
• Familiarity with advanced digital tools, including AI-enabled solutions, to support analysis and business decision-making.

Position information:

• Relocation will not be provided for this position
• Work Schedule:Mon - Fri: 8-5pm Work Hybrid model (3 days from the office, 2 days home)
• The position will be based in one of the following locations: Wayzata, MN, Lewisburg, OH, Wichita, KS, Olathe, KS

The expected salary for this position is $87K- $120K. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, certifications, education, and level of experience. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. This position is eligible for a discretionary incentive award. The incentive award amount is dependent upon company performance and your personal performance.

At Cargill we put people first. As part of your overall rewards, we offer a comprehensive benefit program including medical and/or other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked. Visit: https://www.cargill.com/page/my-health/mh-health-and-wellness to learn more (subject to certain collective bargaining agreements for Union positions)