Workforce Planner (Manufacturing)

Pay Range: $65,000/yr. – $75,000/yr.

Location: Norwood, MA / In-Office / Accessible from major highways

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Home Market Foods is seeking a detail-oriented Workforce Planner to manage daily workforce planning in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You’ll play a key role in aligning staffing with production demand, minimizing overtime, and ensuring smooth operations across multiple shifts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop and maintain production scheduling and shift scheduling plans to support operational requirements across all shifts in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ensure labor schedules align with production plans, product requirements, employee skill sets, and capacity planning needs.
• Execute effective labor planning strategies to maintain appropriate staffing levels while minimizing overtime and inefficiencies.
• Process and track employee time-off requests in accordance with company policies, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• Monitor daily attendance and proactively identify potential staffing shortages or coverage gaps.
• Support production leadership with real-time staffing adjustments to maintain operational efficiency.
• Track, analyze, and report on staffing data, attendance trends, and labor utilization using Excel and ADP timekeeping systems.
• Identify staffing gaps, vacancies, and coverage risks; communicate proactively with leadership and recommend solutions.
• Support labor planning decisions with accurate workforce data, reporting, and forecasting insights.
• Partner with HR to identify and fill staffing gaps based on operational needs and required skill sets.
• Collaborate closely with payroll to ensure accurate labor reporting and timekeeping records.
• Work cross-functionally with production leadership to ensure workforce plans align with production efficiency goals.
• Promote compliance with scheduling policies, procedures, and standard processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with temporary staffing agencies to support workforce flexibility.
• Identify opportunities to improve scheduling accuracy, workforce planning, and overall operational efficiency.
• Support the Director of Manufacturing and Operations leadership with ad hoc projects and operational initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• 2+ years of experience in workforce scheduling, production planning or a similar operational role
• Working knowledge of ADP or similar timekeeping/payroll systems
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills including data tracking and analysis
• Ability to maintain high levels of data accuracy and reporting integrity
• Strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Problem solving and continuous improvement mindset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Spanish and/or Portuguese bilingual skills are a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT: 

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Moderate office noise level.
• Company Provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn while on the production floor.
• Must maintain appropriate safety awareness in a manufacturing environment.