Labor and Operations Planning Specialist

DescriptionAmazon is seeking an experienced Labor and Operations Planning Specialist to analyze and optimize labor planning and operations across our food manufacturing facilities. This individual contributor role combines workforce analytics, capacity planning, and operational efficiency expertise to ensure our manufacturing sites are properly staffed to meet production demands while maintaining cost-effectiveness and operational excellence. This role includes stretch leadership opportunities including mentoring, influencing cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives. Key job responsibilities Labor Planning & Workforce Analytics u2022 Develop and maintain comprehensive labor plans for multiple food manufacturing facilities based on production forecasts, historical data, and operational requirements u2022 Analyze workforce capacity needs and create staffing strategies that balance production demands with cost optimization u2022 Create labor forecasting models using production volume data, associate performance rates, attendance patterns, and attrition trends u2022 Support the rhythm of labor planning, ordering, and hiring lifecycle to ensure adequate staffing across all facilities u2022 Coordinate with Workforce Staffing (WFS) teams to provide data-driven hiring recommendations and minimize gaps in labor hours u2022 Develop and maintain labor planning assumptions including rates, attendance, attrition, and productivity metrics Operations Planning & Analysis u2022 Analyze manufacturing operations data to identify opportunities for labor efficiency improvements and cost reduction u2022 Create and maintain labor planning tools, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to track key performance indicators u2022 Conduct capacity planning analysis to ensure facilities can meet production volume requirements u2022 Develop labor allocation strategies across different production lines, shifts, and departments u2022 Monitor and report on labor utilization, overtime trends, and productivity metrics u2022 Translate labor plans into actionable recommendations for operations teams regarding shift schedules and staffing assignments Data-Driven Decision Making u2022 Build and maintain workforce analytics platforms to monitor labor efficiency, cost per unit, and productivity trends u2022 Develop forecasting models that predict labor needs based on production schedules, seasonal demand, and business growth u2022 Analyze historical labor data to identify patterns and optimize future planning decisions u2022 Create reports and presentations on labor planning performance and recommendations for leadership u2022 Utilize data analysis tools to provide insights that drive operational improvements u2022 Regularly review performance metrics and proactively identify areas for improvement Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence u2022 Partner with operations leadership, human resources, finance, learning teams, and supply chain to align labor plans with business objectives u2022 Participate in labor planning meetings with site leadership to review assumptions, capacity needs, and staffing strategies u2022 Collaborate with HR teams on attendance management, conversion strategies, and roster accuracy u2022 Work with finance teams to ensure cost-effective labor decisions and budget alignment u2022 Coordinate with learning and development teams to ensure adequate training capacity for new hires u2022 Build consensus across stakeholders on labor planning priorities and trade-offs u2022 Influence team-level and cross-functional decisions through data-driven recommendations and subject matter expertise Process Improvement & Standardization u2022 Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance labor planning accuracy and efficiency u2022 Develop standardized labor planning processes and best practices across multiple facilities u2022 Create mechanisms to proactively identify and address labor planning blockers u2022 Implement tools and systems that automate labor planning tasks and reduce manual work u2022 Document labor planning procedures and train site teams on planning tools and methodologies u2022 Lead initiatives to improve data quality and integrity in labor planning systems u2022 Champion process improvements that have organization-wide impact Labor Lever Analysis u2022 Analyze capacity gaps and recommend labor levers (mandatory overtime, voluntary extra time, incentivized shifts) to address production needs u2022 Develop strategies for flexible staffing that can respond to volume fluctuations u2022 Monitor labor lever utilization and cost-effectiveness across facilities u2022 Create frameworks for when and how to deploy different labor adjustment strategies u2022 Ensure labor lever decisions comply with company policies and labor regulations Leadership & Mentorship (Stretch Responsibilities) u2022 Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior team members and peers on labor planning methodologies and best practices u2022 Lead knowledge-sharing sessions and training initiatives to build labor planning capabilities across the organization u2022 Guide and coach team members on complex labor planning scenarios and analytical approaches u2022 Act as a thought leader in workforce planning, sharing insights and innovations with broader teams u2022 Take ownership of cross-functional initiatives that require influencing stakeholders without direct authority u2022 Represent labor planning expertise in strategic discussions with senior leadership u2022 Identify and develop talent within the organization by providing constructive feedback and growth opportunities A day in the life u2022 Position may require up to 25% travel to manufacturing facilities u2022 Flexibility to work across time zones to support multiple facility locations u2022 Ability to work on manufacturing floor to understand operations and validate planning assumptions u2022 Occasional evening or weekend work during peak planning cycles or production ramps Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree, or Master's degree in supply chain management, operations, engineering, analytics or related field - Experience guiding, training and mentoring others - u2022 4+ years of experience in labor planning, workforce planning, operations planning, or capacity planning - u2022 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, food production, or high-volume operations environments - u2022 Demonstrated experience analyzing workforce data and creating labor forecasting models - u2022 Strong proficiency with data analysis tools including Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, macros, VBA) - u2022 Experience with workforce management systems, labor planning tools, or scheduling software - u2022 Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple facilities or locations simultaneously - u2022 Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and translate into actionable insights - u2022 Experience presenting to and influencing leadership on labor planning recommendations - u2022 Excellent organizational and time management skills - u2022 Strong written and verbal communication skillsPreferred Qualifications- u2022 Master's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, or related field - u2022 Experience specifically in food manufacturing or CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) environments - u2022 Knowledge of labor planning tools such as ALPS, SSPOT, LAS, or similar workforce management platforms - u2022 Experience with business intelligence tools (Tableau, QuickSight, Power BI) and SQL - u2022 Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies - u2022 Experience with labor forecasting algorithms and predictive analytics - u2022 Knowledge of labor laws, overtime regulations, and compliance requirements - u2022 Experience working with staffing agencies and third-party labor providers - u2022 Understanding of production planning systems (ERP, MES) and how they integrate with labor planning - u2022 Six Sigma or Lean certification - u2022 Experience with change management and implementing new planning processes - u2022 Track record of delivering measurable cost savings through labor optimization - u2022 Experience with statistical analysis and modeling techniques - u2022 Demonstrated experience mentoring or coaching team members - u2022 Experience leading cross-functional projects or initiatives - u2022 Proven ability to influence decisions at senior management levels Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region youu2019re applying in isnu2019t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at . USA, TX, Austin - 85,800.00 - 128,600.00 USD annually

Created: 2026-01-29