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.