Responsibilities
Candidate Profile
Job Description – Central Packaging Planner
POSITION TITLE : Central Packaging Planner
DEPARTMENT : Packaging Planning DEMEA
REPORTS TO : Packaging Planning Manager
LOCATION : Breda, Netherlands
JOBLEVEL : P3
DIRECT REPORTS : -
LATEST UPDATE : August 2022
GENERAL DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT
The Packaging Planning DEMEA team (PP-Team) is part of the Integrated Business Planning Team, which reports into the Supply Chain Director DEMEA.
The PP-Team DEMEA is set up to
- cover both central and local responsibilities,
- manage and coordinate the technical/supply related packaging process within the DEMEA region in line with the DEMEA packaging strategy,
- ensure correct stock levels at Growers and Driscoll’s facilities across the region.
The Central Packaging Planner coordinates all activities related to timely supply and ensuring stock levels meet Driscoll’s standards. Works closely together with Central Procurement Planner and the regional planning teams. Is the liaison towards the external suppliers. The planner has a pivotal position with Key Stake holders in Scheduling, Profitability Management, Distribution, regional packaging teams, Sales, Marketing, Quality Departments.
GOAL OF THE POSITION / KEY RESULTS AREA
As a Packaging Planner you will create and execute forecast and stock management plans for our packaging material. To be successful in this role, you must align with various international departments and stakeholders, to make sure packaging forecast and stocks are balanced in the most efficient way. Your contacts are different internal departments and external suppliers.
In scope are all packaging materials which are all materials which are fruit-item related. Like punnets, clam-shells, trays, crates, foils for paper pack. Out of scope are the materials needed for transport like pallets, corner slats, wrapping foil.
Main responsibility will be the execution with current processes and tools for packaging forecast (supplier) and stock management to control our growing volumes in an efficient way.
Hands on mentality for day to day business as well as longer term strategic planning are important skills to be successful.
You will be the connection between the production regions of Driscoll’s (mainly Spain, Portugal and Morocco) and the central DEMEA part of the organization. A big responsibility lies in being the last safety check if the regional packaging orders are in line with the central DEMEA needs.
A big opportunity lies in connecting several departments within DEMEA with the goal to improve the visibility on the business needs for packaging, improving efficiency (cost reduction) and to have an accurate long-term outlook and vision.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Packaging stock and forecast management in alignment with different departments and packaging suppliers. Scope 0-3 wks, 4-13 wks, 14-26, wks, up to two years. Key contact towards suppliers to ensure stock levels in the Driscoll’s Warehouses are in line with the (Safety) Stock Policies. Decide about the production capacity of the plastic packaging suppliers, leading to contractual obligations to purchase significant amounts of stock. Be the first contact point for the regional packaging planning and distribution and act as a resource in case of planning related questions and issues. Maintain weekly follow up calls with suppliers to discuss how much production is to be planned to
- What need to be called off in 0-3 week horizon
- cover fluctuations in Driscoll’s demand within 13 week horizon
- anticipate on production plans to ensure forecasted supply is covered in horizon beyond the 13 weeks.
Be the company expert on available packaging items, available alternatives, interchangeability but also able to judge in which situations to follow the demand forecast and in which situations to be more conservative. In case of the latter: being able to gather the right stakeholders and let them provide you accurate information. Lead packaging related projects like Paperpack transition, ERP implementation, Triman logo and more. Coordinate, communicate and align with internal departments on packaging forecast and demand: Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Planning department. Be in the lead and initiate long term process improvements. Supplier management: work on processes, information sharing and build relation/network with packaging suppliers. Execute daily operational and administrative tasks; (in Microsoft Dynamics AX), create excel overviews, analysis, presentations within the packaging department. Ensure a timely and correct feedback and reporting on findings and results and initiates suggestions for process improvements.
JOB QUALIFICFATIONS
As a Packaging Planner you combine strong communication skills with strong accuracy skills, with the ambition to grow on a professional level within our berry business. You are an ideal candidate for us if you have the following experience and skills:
Personal Experience/Qualifications/Skills:
- 2-4 years of experience in a comparable role.
- Bachelor / Master’s Degree (HAS, Logistics, Supply Chain).
- Advanced level of English
- Another European language (Spanish, French) would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience in packaging is an asset.
- Experience in food is an asset
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft office, expert level in Excel.
- Strong acumen in data crunching
- Ability to work independently
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Result oriented and pro-active attitude.
- Analytical skills.
- Customer centric focus.
- Service mindset.
Competencies
-
Driscoll’s leadership competencies
- Strategic Mindset
- Cultivates innovation
- Plans & Aligns
- Drives results
- Collaborates
- Drives engagement
- Develops talent
- Courage
-
Other relevant competencies
- Strong communications skills and able to communicate easily within different organizational levels
- High proficiency of Excel and other Microsoft packages is a must
- Knowledge of cloud applications like Anaplan and Eye-on
- Knowledge of ERP tool DAX is an asset
- Strong planning, decision making and accuracy skills
- Able to work within a high pressure and changing environment
- Analyzing skills.
About Driscolls
Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.
Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.
Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.
Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.
Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.
Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.