What’s it like to work at Kinder’s? Well, there’s a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there’s also plenty of hard work. Because we don’t just like flavor, we’re obsessed with it.
With over 100 products sold nationwide, we’re now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We’re not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.
As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need more smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you’re looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you’ll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.
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.
- No two days here are the same.
- We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.
- We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
- We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
- We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
- We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.
OUR RECIPE FOR BALANCE:We believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.
WHERE EVERY INGREDIENT MATTERS:Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces Walnut Creek, California, USA Office
2121 N California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA , United States, 94596
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