Maintenance Planner

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023. 

                                                                                     Maintenance Planner 

Due to the highly interactive nature of this manufacturing position, in-person attendance and flexibility are essential for supporting production schedules, effective communication and collaboration, real-time problem solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Schedules may vary and are subject to change.

Core Hours: 6am-3pm

Location: Fairfield, CA

Want to make an impact? 

The Maintenance Planner plays a key role in keeping our candy production running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. This role is responsible for creating, maintaining, and continuously improving maintenance strategies across Preventative, Predictive, and Corrective Maintenance programs. The Maintenance Planner develops bills of materials, maintenance assemblies, and detailed task lists, and keeps our maintenance management system accurate and up to date. Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, this role collaborates closely with the maintenance team to build a smart, effective weekly work plan and partners with production to ensure maintenance activities align seamlessly with manufacturing priorities—so our lines stay running and our candy keeps flowing. 

Ways you will make a difference 

• Develop and implement Preventative Maintenance and Predictive Maintenance tasks and plans,
  

validating new plans in collaboration with Mechanics and department leaders 

• Lead reduction of technical stoppages in equipment and areas of common occurrence,
  

prioritizing areas of high incidence or impact 

• Ensure systematic review of all line, processes, and utilities that are critical to the business,
  

especially areas where failures impact food or personnel safety, the environment, or compliance 

with the law 

• Support implementation and sustainability of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), especially
  

Preventative Maintenance (PM) Pillar activity in the factory 

• Schedule Preventative Maintenance (PM) for facility maintenance, including electrical
  

substations, boilers, air compressors, and instrumentation within the plant 

• Coach and guide employees in the use of maintenance continuous improvement tools such as
  

Autonomous Maintenance, BDA, X-Matrix, SAM, Tags, and more, as well as use of reliability 

centered maintenance and root cause analysis tools and techniques 

• Responsible for the Planned Maintenance Pillar strategies and standards to manage scheduled
  

work orders, labor hour allocation, equipment Bill of Material (BOM), system reporting and data 

analysis; coach and train users to use Planned Maintenance Pillar activities 

• Maintain and update the plant’s SAP database 


• Monitor and track key performance indicators in accordance with Planned Maintenance Pillar 

Standards 

• Ensure PMs are accurate, detailed, and updated based on Mechanic and/or Maintenance
  

Supervisor feedback 

• Support Production Supervisors in emergency work priority determinations
  


• Coordinate with outside vendors and contractors, including creating purchase requisitions and
  

sourcing vendors 

• Collaborate with storeroom staff on spare parts issuance, assignment of parts for work orders,
  

and inventory level management and encourage teamwork between all functions 

Skills that will make you successful 

• Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical maintenance techniques
  


• Understanding of Preventative and Predictive Maintenance principles and implementation
  


• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  


• Ability to approach problems with innovative solutions and a passion for continuous
  

improvement 

• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across various teams
  


• Organization and time-management skills
  

Experiences that will support your success 

• Completion of two-year technical maintenance program, formal apprenticeship, or related
  

education required 

• Minimum 2 years of experience in maintenance field, preferably in food industry/CPG
  

environment 

• SAP or similar CMMS platform proficiency
  


• Microsoft Office Suite
  


• Previous Maintenance Planner or Maintenance Supervisor experience a plus 


• Knowledge and understand of the cost drivers of maintenance in manufacturing operations as well
  

as continuous improvement methodologies 

• Analytical and technical skills
  

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-. 

Ferrara, a company related to The Ferrero Group, is an emerging powerhouse in the North American confections and sweet snacking categories. A passionate team of more than 6,000 employees works together to share delight in every bite through leading brands that have shaped the industry for more than 100 years.