What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Planner / Scheduler position at McAlister Design?
Wauseon Machine, a leader in precision machining, custom robotic automation, and tube end forming equipment, is seeking a Production Planner / Scheduler to join our Custom Machining business. Reporting directly to the Production Manager, this role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment, managing 300-500 active jobs monthly.
Core Responsibilities:
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Develop, maintain, and optimize daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules to meet customer demands and business goals.
- Balance machine loading, labor availability, and material flow to maximize on-time delivery and resource utilization.
- Lead daily planning meetings to proactively identify scheduling issues, align department efforts, and ensure customer quality standards are met.
- Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), adjust schedules as needed to prevent bottlenecks, and minimize downtime.
- Issue daily schedules and work orders to all manufacturing work centers and supervisors.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service teams to align schedules, manage lead times, and communicate changes.
- Coordinate engineering change notices, deviations, and rework with shop floor and Quality teams.
- Work with Sales and Customer Service to manage order priorities, expedite requests, and provide scheduling updates.
Capacity & Demand Management
- Analyze demand forecasts, customer orders, and inventory levels to develop optimized production plans.
- Identify capacity constraints and recommend solutions such as overtime, additional shifts, or resource reallocation.
- Ensure raw materials, tooling, and components are available ahead of production needs to avoid delays.
Process Improvement & Systems Utilization
- Utilize ERP/MRP systems (currently JobBoss) for planning, scheduling, and real-time tracking of production progress.
- Continuously evaluate and refine scheduling methodologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
- Track key performance metrics (e.g., on-time delivery, utilization, schedule adherence) and implement data-driven improvements.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a planning scheduling role in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrate proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (JobBoss Preferred).
Desired Soft Skills:
- Strong organization, planning, and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and meet deadlines.
- Highly detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong collaborative mindset, able to work effectively with cross-functional teams while also demonstrating independent initiative when required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clear and concise coordination across departments.
- Ability to lead and participate in efficient, results-driven meetings that maximize productivity.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Teams.
