Senior Manager, Production Planning & Forecasting

Company overview

Buffalo Games is a consumer products business known for playful, engaging items such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, tabletop games, outdoor games, and sporting goods. The company operates across multiple campuses in the United States and China and focuses on delivering high-quality products to customers around the world.

Role summary

This position is for a seasoned, data-oriented leader to oversee production planning for one or more jigsaw puzzle brand segments valued at $50MM or more. The role carries significant responsibility for turning both long-range and short-range sales forecasts into practical manufacturing and purchasing plans, while also improving the systems, tools, and metrics that support planning performance.

Production planning and master scheduling

• Create, maintain, and continuously improve production schedules for a $50–100MM jigsaw puzzle segment, making sure they reflect retailer orders, POS information, and projected demand.
• Convert near-term and long-term sales forecasts into workable production and purchasing plans, including outsourced puzzle procurement.
• Align schedules with manufacturing capacity, material availability, and workforce limits.
• Work through conflicts between demand and supply by prioritizing, rescheduling, and escalating issues clearly with Manufacturing, Procurement, Sales, and Customer Service.
• Drive improvements in service rates across major customer channels.

Metrics and performance management

• Set baseline metrics and improvement targets tied to business goals.
• Perform structured root cause analysis after major service failures and convert findings into measurable process changes.
• Regularly brief executive leadership on production performance trends and recommend corrective actions.

Process improvement and systems enhancement

• Document and standardize all planning SOPs, from demand intake through MPS publication, to reduce dependence on individual knowledge and build a scalable operating model.
• Spot and implement automation opportunities in routine planning work such as case packing schedule creation and purchase order triggers.
• Partner with ERP and IT teams to improve data-led decision-making and reduce reliance on spreadsheet-based planning.

Inventory management

• Track and manage finished goods and raw material inventory across SKUs, balancing customer service goals against carrying costs.
• Refine inventory control processes for both raw materials and finished goods, using formal review cycles tied to shifts in demand signals and seasonal changes.
• Work closely with Procurement to keep material supply on schedule.

Team leadership and development

• Lead and coach Production/POS Planner direct report(s) through clear expectations and structured development.
• Build a team culture centered on results, strong analytics, early escalation of exceptions, and solution-oriented thinking.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing, Procurement, Sales, and Customer Service to keep cross-functional execution aligned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a similar field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 7–10 years of progressive experience in production planning, inventory management, or supply chain work in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing large, high-SKU product portfolios of $50MM+ revenue with responsibility for MPS delivery and service-level results.
• Practical ERP experience, including direct use of MPS/MRP modules; Epicor knowledge is strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel capabilities, including scenario modeling, pivot analysis, and capacity planning tools.
• A proven record of redesigning production planning processes to improve lead time, accuracy, or cost.
• Experience creating and presenting executive-level KPI dashboards and performance reports.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively.
• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving skills, with a data-driven communication style.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or an equivalent certification (such as NAPM/ISM) is a plus.
• Experience in consumer products, seasonal goods, or retail-facing supply chains is preferred.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Location and work arrangement

The role is based in Buffalo, NY 14206 and requires in-person work, with occasional travel to Massachusetts.

Equal opportunity statement

Buffalo Games is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.