Rocket Farms is the nation’s top grower for Orchids, Potted Herbs, Miniature Roses, potted Christmas Trees and a unique assortment of other flowers and indoor plants, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulents, and Venus Fly Traps among others. With over 10 greenhouse growing facilities throughout the California coast, Rocket Farms manages over 8.3 million square feet of growing space, making us the third largest greenhouse grower in the United States. We provide high quality products across multiple retail channels, with customers including Costco, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Kroger, and other top regional retailers across the country. We are committed to providing innovative product solutions that pair superior plant materials with uniquely designed decorative containers and accessories. Our Strategic Planning department is currently in search of a Planning and Inventory Manager to help support our rapid business growth.
Under the direction of the VP, Strategic Planning, the Planning Manager is responsible for (1) the development/execution of the demand/production planning, (2) inventory coordination, and (3) a leadership role in enterprise planning and execution. In addition, the Planning Manager will provide analytical and business planning support to various departments as directed and the preparation and presentation of complex data. This position will be responsible for the professional development of two direct reports.
Production/Demand Planning
- Develop and manage a supply/demand balanced production plan for total organization across multiple facilities through cross-functional crop planning and S&OP processes with Horticulture, Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
- Communicate and articulate the assumptions and basis for production forecast and drivers, as well as to report on performance improvement with management team.
- Manage the demand planning process by working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
- Manage the process of translating demand forecast into product level forecast to drive production and purchasing decisions.
- Monitor demand forecast accuracy and implements corrective actions as necessary.
- Lead and assist system and process integration related to both supply and demand planning, including ERP system implementation and all data capabilities within our current systems.
- Drive business planning, product forecasting, product category trend analysis, customer performance analysis and reporting to support development and execution of marketing programs.
Inventory Coordination
- Manage inventory flow and growers production forecast to ensure timely and accurate product availability and communication.
- Manage production allocation process through interfacing cross-functionally with Sales, Horticulture, and Operations.
- Develop and communicate plant and product specs cross-functionally to ensure quality execution for the customers.
- Lead ad-hoc cross-functional team meetings to ensure timely communication and successful execution in preparation of and during peak seasons.
- Manage all inter-company inventory management and packing co-ordinations.
- Provide analytical and operational support during peak seasons
- Bachelor degree, preferably in business, economics, or operations
- 5+ years of relevant production/demand planning experience
- Experienced in data analysis and data modeling
- Strong problem solving skills with ability to think creatively and demonstrated analytical capacity and fact-based decision making
- Ability to effectively communicate numerical data and insight both verbally and in writing
- Demonstrates ability to multi-task and succeed in fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Effective project management skills with ability to prioritize, plan, and deliver assignments on time
- Experienced in enterprise software system
- Expertise with Microsoft Office
- Work effectively in a team environment
- Effective in managing direct reports and interacting with people at various levels of the organization