Production Planning & Inventory Control Manager

POSTION SUMMARY
The Production Planning & Inventory Control Manager is primarily responsible for production planning and inventory control at the Sacramento production and distribution facility, with ongoing oversight and performance insight into shipping and receiving operations. Production planning and inventory control constitute the primary function of this position, representing the majority of work time and requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment over matters of significance — including master production scheduling, safety stock and reorder-point parameters, cycle count methodology, and inventory valuation — consistent with the administrative exemption under Cal. Lab. Code §515 and 29 C.F.R. §541.200. This position directly supervises production planning and inventory control staff and the Shipping/Receiving Lead, satisfying the executive exemption under 29 C.F.R. §541.100 and Cal. Lab. Code §515, as it customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more full-time employees or their equivalent, with hiring, discipline, and advancement recommendations given particular weight. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and partners with the Production Manager, Controller, and Purchasing to align supply, production, and fulfillment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Production Planning & Scheduling — Primary Function

•    Develop and maintain the master production schedule for roasting, packaging, and co-packed goods; align sequencing with sales forecasts, wholesale commitments, e-commerce demand, and retail replenishment needs, exercising independent judgment to resolve scheduling conflicts and capacity constraints.

•    Own MRP parameters, safety stock targets, and lead-time assumptions within Fishbowl; adjust planning in response to demand variability, vendor lead-time changes, or SKU velocity shifts.

Inventory Control & Accuracy — Primary Function

•    Establish and lead cycle counting programs and periodic wall-to-wall physical inventories for raw materials, packaging, work-in-process, and finished goods; investigate and resolve discrepancies and shrinkage, and make independent judgment calls on write-off disposition.

•    Maintain inventory accuracy within Fishbowl, including lot tracking, FIFO rotation, and expiration date management; partner with the Controller on month-end reconciliation and COGS analysis.

•    Directly supervise production planning and inventory control staff, including scheduling, training, performance evaluation, and input on hiring, discipline, and advancement decisions.

Shipping & Receiving — Oversight Function

•    Maintain ongoing oversight and performance insight into day-to-day shipping and receiving operations, including inbound receiving of green coffee, packaging, and supplies and outbound shipping across DTC, wholesale, and retail channels; partner with the Shipping/Receiving Lead to review KPIs, resolve escalations, and ensure service and accuracy standards are met.

•    Review PO verification, inspection, and Fishbowl receipt entry practices, and carrier documentation and relationships, for accuracy and compliance; provide direction to the Shipping/Receiving Lead on prioritization during peak periods or disruptions.

•    Ensure forklift and pallet jack operations are conducted only by personnel holding current Cal/OSHA powered industrial truck certification (8 CCR §3664); periodically audit equipment inspection and maintenance records for compliance.

Warehouse Safety & Compliance

•    Support the facility's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) for warehouse and shipping/receiving operations (8 CCR §3203), including forklift certification, lifting technique, and hazard communication training; maintain Cal/OSHA general industry compliance and report safety concerns to the COO without delay.

Other Duties

Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the Chief Operating Officer based on business needs. This description is not an exhaustive list of all duties required.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS
Required

•    Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and verifiable experience in production planning, inventory control, or warehouse/logistics management.

•    Minimum four (4) years of progressive experience spanning production planning, inventory control, or shipping/receiving in a food manufacturing, CPG, or beverage environment, including Fishbowl or comparable inventory/warehouse management systems.

•    Prior supervisory experience directing production planning, inventory control, or warehouse staff, including scheduling, performance feedback, and input on personnel decisions; experience coordinating with or overseeing shipping and receiving operations a plus.

•    Proficiency with Fishbowl (or comparable inventory/warehouse management systems) and shipping platforms (ShipStation, EasyPost, Shopify Shipping, or equivalent), plus advanced Excel skills. Current or ability to obtain Cal/OSHA forklift operator certification within 30 days of hire.

•    APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM or CSCP) or equivalent. Experience managing production planning, inventory control, and shipping/receiving simultaneously for a specialty food or beverage brand with DTC, wholesale, and retail channels.

LEADERSHIP
•    Operational Judgment: Exercises independent discretion in production sequencing, inventory disposition, and shipping prioritization under time and resource constraints.

•    Team Leadership: Directs and develops production planning and inventory control staff; provides clear feedback and maintains effective oversight of the Shipping/Receiving Lead and warehouse operations.

•    Cross-Functional Coordination: Partners effectively with Production, Purchasing, and Finance to align supply, scheduling, and fulfillment priorities.

•    Safety Discipline: Upholds warehouse safety standards and material handling protocols without prompting; models compliance for the team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT & WORK ENVIRONMENT
•    Work is performed in a production and distribution warehouse environment; regularly exposed to variable temperatures, dock-level noise, and material handling equipment traffic. Safety footwear in designated areas.

•    Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and operate a forklift or pallet jack; must be able to lift and carry product, packaging, and equipment up to 50 lbs. and to team-lift heavier loads with assistance. Schedule may include early mornings, occasional evenings, and coverage during peak shipping or inventory periods.