The Role 

We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Supply Planning Manager to lead and optimize the master production schedule across our multi-site contract manufacturing network. This role plays a critical function in balancing customer demand, supply chain capacity, and inventory objectives while driving process efficiency and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where agility, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership are key. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning (Innovation, Results) 

• Develop, maintain, and execute the long-term master production schedule, ensuring alignment with demand forecasts, inventory strategies, and manufacturing constraints across multiple sites. 

• Conduct capacity planning to optimize resource allocation and ensure production levels meet business growth objectives. 

• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and internal teams to ensure schedules are executed efficiently and proactively adjust for anticipated disruptions or demand fluctuations. 

• Balance short-term execution needs with long-term scalability, applying a Builder Mindset to develop scheduling capabilities for future growth. 

Cross-Functional Coordination & Supply Chain Optimization (Collaboration, Integrity) 

• Partner with demand planning, sales, procurement, and supply chain teams to integrate production planning with market demand and inventory targets. 

• Identify and mitigate potential supply chain bottlenecks, developing alternative production scenarios as needed. 

• Provide guidance to local production schedulers, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and adapting schedules as business conditions evolve. 

• Foster transparent, solutions-oriented communication, ensuring that scheduling decisions align with the company’s commitment to integrity and operational excellence. 

Inventory & Materials Planning (Results, Curiosity) 

• Balance inventory levels, safety stock, and working capital objectives by ensuring production schedules align with supply chain constraints. 

• Work closely with warehousing, distribution, and procurement teams to ensure the timely availability of raw materials and packaging. 

• Minimize waste, excess inventory, and obsolete stock through proactive planning and a curious, problem-solving mindset. 

Contract Manufacturer & Vendor Management (Collaboration, Integrity) 

• Act as the primary point of contact for contract manufacturers regarding production scheduling, capacity planning, and performance tracking. 

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with manufacturing partners to enhance scheduling flexibility and responsiveness. 

• Monitor and improve schedule adherence and lead-time performance, ensuring execution aligns with Kinder’s values of accountability and teamwork. 

Data-Driven Decision Making & KPI Tracking (Results, Curiosity) 

• Analyze production performance, schedule adherence, and capacity utilization metrics to identify efficiency opportunities. 

• Develop and maintain real-time dashboards and reports to track master scheduling effectiveness. 

• Implement data-driven process improvements to reduce lead times, improve forecast accuracy, and optimize scheduling efficiency. 

• Approach challenges with curiosity, leveraging data to ask the right questions and drive innovative solutions. 

Process Improvement & ERP System Optimization (Innovation, Builder Mindset) 

• Continuously identify and implement best practices in master scheduling to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance supply chain visibility. 

• Leverage ERP and advanced planning tools to improve scheduling accuracy, visibility, and responsiveness. 

• Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and business growth. 

• Demonstrate a "Builder Mindset", balancing immediate execution with the development of long-term capabilities that will scale with company growth. 

Who Will Excel in This Role at Kinder’s 

Success in this role isn’t just about building schedules—it’s about building solutions, relationships, and efficiencies that drive Kinder’s forward. The right person will find this role fulfilling if they: 

✔ Thrive in Complexity & See the Big Picture – You can balance short-term execution with long-term strategic thinking, ensuring production schedules not only meet today’s needs but support scalable, sustainable growth. 

✔ Operate with Integrity & Ownership – You take pride in delivering accurate, reliable schedules and ensure alignment with business priorities, supplier relationships, and operational goals—even when the details get tough. 

✔ Love Data-Driven Problem Solving – You instinctively dive into numbers, trends, and performance data to identify scheduling bottlenecks, forecast demand shifts, and recommend smart adjustments. You know that the best solutions start with asking the right questions. 

✔ Excel in Cross-Functional Collaboration – You don’t just share schedules—you build alignment across sales, supply chain, and manufacturing teams. You believe that the best outcomes come from working together transparently and proactively. 

✔ Embrace Innovation & Continuous Improvement – You are always looking for ways to optimize processes, reduce inefficiencies, and leverage technology to drive scheduling accuracy and flexibility. You understand that what worked yesterday won’t necessarily work tomorrow—and you love finding a better way. 

✔ Stay Resilient & Adapt with Agility – The nature of production scheduling means things will change—supply chain constraints, last-minute demand spikes, and unforeseen delays. You adjust quickly, solve problems efficiently, and keep moving forward with a solutions-oriented mindset. 

✔ Find Satisfaction in Delivering Results – At Kinder’s, we value execution as much as strategy. You’ll find fulfillment in knowing that your ability to plan and execute effectively helps get high-quality products into customers’ hands on time, every time. 

Qualifications & Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or a related field. 

• 5+ years of experience in master scheduling, production planning, or supply chain roles in a manufacturing environment. 

• Strong proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and scheduling/planning tools. 

• Analytical mindset with experience using data analytics and reporting tools. 

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with sales, operations, and supply chain teams. 

• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment. 

The expected starting salary range for this role is $135,000- $150,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.

ABOUT KINDER'S:

How You'll Have Impact at Kinder's

We are looking to hire a Product Supply Operations Planner for our Supply Chain Planning. The Product Supply Operations Planner (PSO) will play a crucial role in managing and optimizing the endto-end supply chain processes ensuring the products are delivered efficiently and meet customer expectations. This role will support the execution of supply chains, monitor production schedules and manage inventory to align with customer demand. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail oriented bring in a “Fail -forward” mindset to navigate a dynamic high growth environment. The PSO planner, works cross-functionally interpreting the Demand and Supply plans to develop production plans in alignment with the Inventory plans. This role has accountability for developing Safety stocks, reorder points and drive customer satisfaction with Service Level targets. They will work with Kinder’s Planning, Sales, Marketing and Subcontractors to ensure pack material and finished goods are available. Reporting to our Director of Production Planning, this individual will orchestrate planning schedules that meet our working capital targets, as well as the needs of our growing and fluctuating business.

Key Responsibilities of the Role Include:

• Assess short term inventory needs aligned to deliver metrics ensuring high levels of Customer Order 
  fill rates coordinating with Contract manufacturers, Quality and Fulfilment teams.
• Facilitate collaboration meetings with stakeholders and vendors to review completed and scheduled 
  production jobs and review any operational issues impacting short term production.
• Proactively identify and escalate issues that could jeopardize supply including raw material or 
  packaging constraints, quality holds, production issues. Actively support the decision-making process 
  to resolve these issues. Additionally, identify potential future capacity constraints and bottlenecks, 
  and escalate material concerns.
• Collaborate with purchasing, planning, logistics/warehousing, and commercial teams to provide input 
  on capacity planning assumptions and performance measures.
• Partner with cross functional teams to drive speed to market initiatives in the execution of new 
  product launches, product change projects and demand shaping activities.
• Coordinate Co-manufacturer start-ups and capacity enhancements for both short-term and long-term 
  needs to ensure a phased scaling-up process.
• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset to enhance planning and operational processes.
• Data Analysis: Create, Review & Action against the Master Production Schedule for all Finished Good 
  items.
• Reporting: Track and review Key Performance Indicators such as schedule adherence, attainment, 
  inventory turns, customer service and days on hand and take appropriate action to meet or exceed 
  targets
• Review firm order demand, new sales or marketing demand and current levels of inventory to monitor 
  emergent demand.
• Assist in process improvement efforts around SAP B1 functionality and fundamental 
  inventory/production planning methodologies.
• Work with internal and external resources to actively ensure that each initiative delivers on-time, and that inventory & customer service levels meet and/or exceed targets.
• Work closely with inventory personnel to ensure that inventory transactions are accurately accounted for.
• Ensure cost effective supply chain execution and/or escalation of exceptions/trade-offs
• Assist in the documenting and upkeep of the team’s SOP’s.

Skills + Experience:

• Bachelors in business or Supply Chain is preferred.
• 3+ years planning and supply chain experience.
• Be able to manage complex elements of the supplier and 3PL relationships.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• High degree of competence in all aspects of complex manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of end-end supply chain process
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Prior experience with SAP preferred.
• Candidate must be proficient with the Microsoft Office suite of products with above average Excel 
  skills

Location & Pay Transparency

The position will be based out of our 20,000 sq. foot office in Walnut Creek, CA. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun.  Fridays are flex days with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them.

How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s:

Kinder’s is expanding rapidly, and we are looking for a dynamic and experienced Manager of Demand Planning to lead our channel and category demand activities. The ideal candidate is not only skilled in demand forecasting but also embodies a growth mindset, balancing today’s demands with building systems for tomorrow. This role requires a strong collaborator who can work cross-functionally to align demand plans with our rapid market expansion and product innovation cycles.

The Manager of Demand Planning will own category-based forecasting across all geographies, ensuring agility in our short-term operations while aligning long-term business strategy. This position requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and can innovate within ambiguity, embracing our core value of “Fail Forward.” You will be the bridge between Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP), playing a pivotal role in connecting tactical execution with strategic growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand Forecasting: 

• Develop and maintain accurate, data-driven demand forecasts for the Grocery channel using historical shipment and POS data, market trends, and sales input. 
• Continuously analyze Point of Sale (POS) data to identify growth drivers and optimize forecasts, ensuring alignment with marketing spend and promotional activities.

Collaboration & Partnership: 

• Build strong, collaborative relationships across internal teams (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain) and key external partners. 
• Foster a culture of open communication, ensuring alignment on demand expectations, opportunities, and risks.

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): 

• Lead the S&OP process for your channels and categories, ensuring that demand plans align with company goals. 
• Act as a change agent who brings diverse perspectives together to drive clear, actionable plans.

New Product Introductions: 

• Partner with Product Development, Marketing, and Sales teams to integrate new product launches into demand forecasts. 
• Ensure smooth market entry by driving alignment across functions and forecasting channels.

Data-Driven Analysis: 

• Leverage sales data, market trends, and other relevant insights to improve demand forecasting accuracy. 
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance distribution efficiency and streamline operations.

Performance Metrics & Accountability: 

• Develop and monitor KPIs that track the effectiveness of demand planning. 
• Own the results, ensuring the right stock levels to minimize overstock or stockouts while maintaining high service levels. 
• Take ownership of reporting and presenting key insights to senior leadership.

Process Improvement & Innovation: 

• Proactively identify and implement process improvements. 
• Drive efficiency and embrace innovation by rethinking traditional demand planning methods, asking insightful questions, and exploring new approaches to achieve better outcomes.

Leadership & Ownership: 

• Act as a key player in bridging short-term tactical planning with long-term strategic growth.
• Demonstrate leadership by fostering collaboration, taking ownership of the demand planning function, and being a role model for integrity and results.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, preferably within the food and beverage industry.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a focus on innovation and process improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using demand forecasting tools (e.g., Anaplan, SAP IBP) and analyzing POS data (Nielsen, IRI, or similar).
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading demand planning initiatives that improve forecasting accuracy and drive business growth.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders. Capable of building genuine, non transactional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Experience with S&OP processes, integrating commercial, marketing, and supply chain inputs into robust demand plans.
• Passion for continuous improvement, embodying a growth mindset that values learning agility and adaptability in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive, results-oriented approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and build strong partnerships.
• Proficiency in demand planning software and tools, with a focus on leveraging data for strategic decision-making.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and work effectively as part of a cross functional team.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with a passion for delivering results.

The expected starting salary range for this role is $130,000- $160,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.