Sr Production Planner

Since its inception, DWFritz Automation has been producing brilliant automation solutions for our clients. Decades later, the market demand for automation combined with our world-class practices and cutting-edge technology has made DWFritz a leading provider in the field of automation.
One thing that hasn’t changed at DWFritz is our focus on our core values, which define how we collaborate across our U.S. and China facilities and how we promote innovation and openness to deliver solutions we can be proud of.
Our continued mission is to be a Great Place to Work, with structured activities to interact across teams, develop your skills, make an impact, and celebrate wins! If you are considering a new opportunity, we encourage you to check us out.

Position Purpose
The Sr Production Planner is responsible to develop, schedule and maintain production plans that result in product supply meeting the shipping dates according to sales forecasts, customer orders or internal demand. Responsible to develop plans that are consistent with business objectives, maximize customer service and minimize inventory investment. Responsible to ensure that DWFritz makes or buys the right material, at the right time, in the right quantity, to the right place.

The Sr Production Planner will determine, coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments according to the production schedule. The Sr Production Planner will work closely with project/product management and engineering to ensure adherence of demand releases in support of the production plan. They will also work with manufacturing to resolve labor and materials issues, as well as any other potential production schedule interruptions.

Responsibilities
• Establish, monitor and fulfill production schedules to satisfy sales forecasts or customer orders
• Determine and maintain build plans for production planning activities and report on any business risks associated with forecasts
• Review all new order additions to backlog and existing customer demands to determine and
provide production’s commitments to sales
• Analyze back orders, current orders and upcoming orders to prioritize, plan, and schedule the production operations. Establish sequence and lead-time of each operation to meet shipping dates according to sales forecasts or customer orders.
• Key contributor to the development of the production plan and schedule, working closely with program/project management. Identify critical production milestones for the project schedule.
• Responsible for development and alignment on recovery plans or options. Collaborate with team members and/or department heads to resolve constraints or delays to mitigate potential risks.
• Utilize the ERP system to generate and maintain a time-phased schedule, with accurate production job dates, to drive material and capacity planning
• Review the MRP (Material Requirements Planning) reports daily, to validate the output accuracy and initiate corrective action for discrepant issues. Monitor progress against engineering and production deliverables, as it relates to meeting customer delivery schedule.
• In coordination with program/project management, determine the planning and implementation of engineering changes and customer schedule changes in production lines
• Analyze, develop, and sustain Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) rules and processes relating to master scheduling, production planning parameters and templates
• Identify material or date conflicts and work with the project team to develop recovery action plans. Investigate production problems, analyze root causes and determine and lead appropriate actions to resolve issues such as material shortages, capacity constraints or quality to avoid delays.
• Work closely with product/project teams and participate in scheduled meetings
• Identify and lead Production Planning best practices and other related process improvement projects, based on business needs
• Coach, train, mentor, and support the development of other team members.
• Maintain a positive relationship with all intercompany teams and departments

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Organizing & Planning: Drives towards overall business needs by prioritizing multiple competing tasks, and effectively managing time. Utilizes available systems and resources effectively within the scope of the work being performed.
• Relationship Building: Seeks out, cultivates and maintains positive and productive business relationships internally and externally. Is able to motivate and work well with others through their optimistic attitude and constructive approach to solving problems or dealing with conflict.
• Drive & Energy: Shows initiative and takes personal responsibility while taking an overall proactive approach. Helps to resolve issues without excessive guidance and appropriately engages necessary resources to accomplish tasks. Presents an energetic demeanor while dealing with multiple projects or tasks.
• Communication: Recognizes value of continuous information exchange. Actively seeks and disseminates information both in person and through use of technology. • Demonstrates active listening and shares ideas, opinions, and feedback in a diplomatic and constructive manner. Raises issues and offers potential solutions that takes into account all functions.
• Ability to gather information in a fast-paced environment and make the best decision based on business needs
• Advanced understanding of ERP Systems – Epicor ERP preferred
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles
• Strong understanding of the product development processes
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment
• Working knowledge of warehouse environment and logistics operations
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficient in MS Office – Excel and Project
• Professional appearance and attitude

Education and Experience
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a planning/production control role required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• APICS certification preferred.
• Working knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies and tools preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and change effectivity planning required, Epicor preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment required; project-based, ETO preferred.

Interpersonal Contacts
We are an ITAR protected facility and due to the nature of your role, you may encounter ITAR related project information. Your citizenship status will determine what access you have within the facility.
External to DWFritz
• Third party contractors, Suppliers, Customers
Internal to DWFritz
• Engineering, Project/Program Management, Production, Purchasing, Materials, Logistics

Work Environment
• This job operates in both a professional office and manufacturing environment
• Working conditions include frequent interruptions
• Demands encompass a variety of tasks, requiring varying degrees of time constraints ranging from busy to under extreme pressure

Physical Demands
• The physical demands listed here are typical for the role and may be modified upon request for reasonable accommodation. The position requires the employee to communicate with others including talking and hearing, sometimes in environments with significant ambient noise. The employee must be able to wear personal protective equipment and gear. The employee must be able to ascend and descend ladders, work in confined spaces, and be mobile / working on their feet for much of the day. The employee may occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; bend, stoop, kneel, and grasp. The employee may be working at a personal computer workstation for most of the workday.

Equal Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The above description is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. All jobs require behaviors consistent with our Core Values and Culture.