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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.

Analyst, Lifecycle Management

Job Location: Chicago

This role is based out of our corporate HQ located in downtown Chicago and will be a hybrid in-person/remote role.

Want to make an impact?

This Analyst position is responsible for leading and managing the life cycle activities of the company’s product portfolio to ensure that residual inventory and obsolescence targets are met. This person will manage and own the specific discontinuation activities and SKU transitions as well as create and document the policies, process, and procedures for governing and managing a SKU's life cycle. The main KPI’s of the role are savings of potential waste/write off and helping to achieve the departments Obsolescence plan for the year.

Ways you will make a difference

Manage the end-of-life processes for “to be” discontinued Finished Good, Semi-Finished Good, and Packaging SKUs in the portfolio. This includes scope tracking, scenario planning analysis for timeline inputs, maintaining planning and master data systems status, inventory runout projections, and financial obsolescence projections.
Ensure adherence to project assumptions in production planning IT systems by maintaining Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Bill of Materials (BOM) settings.
Review purchasing requirements to ensure material purchase orders are placed in line with inventory runout assumptions.
Lead cross-functional discussions to develop mitigation plans for risk identified in the scope of SKU discontinuation and transition projects.
Provide status updates to management on adherence to project plans, root cause of any misses, risks, and options/tradeoffs/recommendations to minimize impact.
Support ad-hoc projects for process improvement related to discontinuations and general inventory risk management.

Skills that will make you successful

Strong verbal, written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills across multiple levels of an organization
Advanced proficiency in Excel including data manipulation and advanced formulas, experience using business intelligence tools preferred
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and able to shift priorities quickly
Understanding of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes
Project and program management skills for managing scope, timelines, and assumptions
High tolerance for ambiguity
Ability to work independently and be a self-starter

Experiences that will support your success

BA/BS; in quantitative majors preferred (i.e. Engineering, Statistics, Operations Management, Economics, Business, Logistics)
2+ years of relevant experience in Inventory Management, Supply Chain Planning, Project Management or Manufacturing
Experience working cross functionally within a manufacturing site or a corporate setting
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
Experience using ERP systems, SAP preferred
Experience working with batch managed inventory preferred

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 here.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $67,500 to $94,500 annually.

#LI-AG1

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-.

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.