Category Planner

Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. The Corporation has operations in 58 countries and markets branded products in nearly 200 nations. Sara Lee Corporation employs 137,000 people worldwide.Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world.  The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee, and Senseo.  Collectively, these brands generate more than $12 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200 countries.  The Sara Lee community consists of 52,000 employees worldwide.Position Summary: Plans the production and deployment of product throughout the Supply Chain. Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Develops and maintains a 13 week master production plan for assigned categories across multiple manufacturing facilities.Manages finished goods inventory across manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and mixing centers.Responsible for upkeep of Manugistics settings for assigned category.Responsible for entry and maintenance of purchase orders for assigned category.Generate deployment orders daily by reviewing recommended shipments through Manugistics.Achieve desired performance goals on key metrics such as order fill, distress, inventory turns and schedule attainment.Identify redeployment needs.Review potential shortages daily and communicate potential shortage/distressed information to the front end and other appropriate departments. Prepare weekly Gap report/S&OP documentation for assigned categories.  Manage new, obsolete and changing products through the Stage Gate/PCM processWork closely with plant production planners on a daily basis; communicate issues to the demand group and management.Participate in meetings with cross-functional team members to support business initiatives and adjust plans accordingly.Bachelor’s degree required with 1-3 years experience in Supply Chain.In lieu of bachelor’s degree, a CPIM designation from APICS or significant experience in planning within a high volume CPG environment is required.CPIM or APICS designation preferred.Strong communication skills are essential.Excellent PC skills (Excel, Word, Power Point, Manugistics, SAP & AP&S technology).An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer