Production Planner

Overview

Production Planner for transportation production plant. Individual will be reporting directly to the Plant Manager. Key responsibilities will be implementation and development of production planning/scheduling for all plant manufacturing processes. This role involves overseeing and coordinating various aspects of the production planning process including balancing capacity and demand, ensuring efficient resource allocation, on time delivery, and adherence to organizational goals. Must be highly versatile, energetic, problem-solving individual. A strong candidate will have excellent skills in the areas of communication (both written and verbal), organization (physical and electronic), collaboration, and interpersonal interactions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage production plans to meet customer demand, quality standards, and delivery requirements.
• Create detailed production schedules that optimize resource utilization, minimize lead times, and reduce production costs.
• Monitor and adjust schedules as necessary to accommodate changes in demand or resource availability
• Oversee inventory control processes to maintain optimal inventory levels, minimize carrying costs, and prevent stockouts.
• Create production plans and schedules, considering factors such as available resources, production capacity, and customer demand.
• Manage customer orders, track order progress, and ensure on-time delivery commitments are met.
• Assess production capacity and identify any constraints that may affect production schedules. Adjust plans as needed to optimize capacity utilization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a planning team, providing guidance and support in achieving departmental objectives.
• Prepare and present regular reports on production metrics, including capacity utilization, on-time delivery, manufacturing lead times, production costs and staffing requirements
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand capacity constraints, material availability, reduce lead times, and exceed customer expectations
• Maintain planned scheduling parameters such as lead time, lot size, safety stock, delivery times, standard times and order file data for all master scheduled items
• Resolve conflicts with respect to material and capacity availability

Qualifications

• Possess strong knowledge of raw materials, production processes, BOM, and other techniques for effective manufacture and distribution of goods
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Capable of being a self -starter with a minimal amount of direct supervision
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize a varied workload to achieve results.
• Ability to apply knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, to necessary operations
• Ability to adhere to company policies and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation
• Identifies root causes and takes appropriate action based on evaluation of all possible options
• Initiates supports or responds to change by continually striving to improve processes or performance consistent with the needs of the business
• Works effectively with others throughout the Company towards the attainment of Company goals
• Considers the financial and commercial implications when taking action/making decisions
• Responds positively to changing situations/priorities in order to achieve Company objectives.
• Ability to extract and analyze a large range of data from written sources, individuals, or multiple work orders
• Capable of understanding complicated written instructions, memoranda, orders
• Regular, skilled use of word processors and programs and able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to effectively present information and answer questions from managers, customers, sales force, etc.
• Ability to solve practical problems and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions
• Ability to thrive in a high energy, high growth dynamic environment.
• Experience working with inventory and or database systems.
• Experience using and managing ERP/MRP systems

Education and Experience:

• BS degree in Supply Chain Management or similar.
• 2 years’ experience in a Production Planning role or similar.
• Advance experience with MS Office software including Excel.
• Two or more years of experience using MRP/ERP systems.
• Experience in high-tempo production environments.
• APICS certification a plus.