Production Planner

The Career:

QA1, a recognized leader in high-performance suspension components for motorsports and industrial markets, is expanding our team. We are seeking a dynamic Production Planner to join us in Lakeville, Minnesota. In this critical role, you will facilitate planning for new and existing production work, managing daily, weekly, and monthly shop floor schedules for assigned work centers to meet customer and internal requirements. We are adding this position to support our expanding industrial and OE market for shock absorbers, motion control systems, rod ends, and linkages. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our growth in a collaborative, high-performance environment.

What You Will Do:

• Schedule and monitor prototype and pre-production jobs to support efficient new product launches.
• Coordinate resource utilization with production planners to meet rapid launch goals without jeopardizing existing schedules.
• Maintain jobs to ensure timely completion and reconciliation of variances.
• Identify inaccurate manufacturing data, including routings and bills of materials, and work with Engineering to correct them.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Team to set priorities or approve item releases to support production planning.
• Gather requirements and specifications for RFIs, RFQs, or RFPs from stakeholders.
• Resolve supply chain constraints; support purchase order placement as needed.
• Partner with quality control to limit production schedule impacts caused by discrepant material and create rework jobs as required.
• Work with Production Area Managers to expedite internal production and adjust schedules to support customer requirements and the company’s overall inventory strategy.
• Maintain and monitor product launch schedule reporting and present as needed.
• Participate in writing purchasing work instructions and departmental procedures to support ISO 9000:2015 QMS.
• Maintain appropriate documentation for audit and control procedures, and timely update purchasing records and data.
• Other duties as beneficial to the success of QA1.

The Critical Skills and Experience You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, related field, or equivalent work experience
• 3 years of experience in the manufacturing industry in related capacity, including an international supplier base
• Practical understanding of materials management, including forecasting, scheduling, capacity analysis and inventory management.
• Working knowledge of metals and plastic components.
• Experience with quality management standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 9001 or TS16949).
• Blend of business acumen, strategic insight, and technical knowledge to drive a big-picture vision with day-to-day practical capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing and prioritizing multiple deliverables.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; remains composed under pressure.
• Strong ability to identify issues quickly and develop effective solutions.
• Proactively addresses challenges with a positive attitude, collaborating with others to brainstorm and implement solutions.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, listening) and ability to build and maintain positive rapport with internal cross-functional team members.
• Strength in execution, including the ability to set priorities with a detail-oriented mindset.
• Strong technical proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ERP/MRP systems for production planning activities; capable of quickly becoming proficient with QA1 ERP (Syteline) if unfamiliar.
• Stays abreast of current thinking and consensus of external continuous improvement community
• Ability to work with a diverse team
• Verified personal and professional values aligning with QA1

The Company:

QA1 is a privately held leader in performance shocks, steering and suspension systems, composite driveshafts, rod ends and related components for the motorsports and industrial markets. With multiple U.S.-based manufacturing facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we are committed to delivering high-quality products that meet the demanding standards of our customers.

Our core values: Create Solutions, Earn It, People Centric, Do the Right Thing - guide everything we do, shaping our products, customer interactions, and internal collaborations. These principles shape a culture that provides premium performance at competitive pricing, while continuously innovating to solve complex challenges. With a focus on long-term relationships, we prioritize customer interests and deliver reliability and credibility.

At QA1, our expertise is complemented by a genuine passion for helping our customers succeed with their projects. Our team of over 200 individuals includes passionate racers, automotive enthusiasts, and experts from a variety of industrial fields, fostering a dynamic and collaborative workforce.

Our work environment is more than just task-oriented; it is a place where we support each other, have fun, and recognize that every contribution is essential to our collective success. We are not just a company; we are a close-knit, high performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and one another.

The Rewards:

At QA1, we recognize that high-performing teams deserve exceptional rewards. That is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to keep our team members motivated and focused on achieving their career goals. We are committed to supporting our team by offering the resources they need to perform at their best and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our rewards include:

• Competitive Pay - $65,000- $80,000 DOE
• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, life, disability, vision insurance and more
• 401(k) with Company Contribution – Helping you plan for a secure future
• Paid Time Off – Company-paid days off for holidays and taking time to recharge
• Wellness Programs & Perks – Programs to keep you in top shape—physically, socially, and financially
• Development Opportunities – Personal and professional growth opportunities, including education reimbursement, to keep you improving your skills and advancing your career
• Community Engagement – Opportunities to give back through local and national charity efforts, strengthening the community around us
• Exclusive Product Discounts – Enjoy discounts on company products so you can experience our incredible solutions firsthand
• And more perks: Enjoy a climate-controlled manufacturing floor, a new breakroom, onsite canteen offerings, and a relaxed and casual dress code

Interested or Know Someone Who Is?

If this opportunity and our team-oriented culture align with your career goals, please visit www.QA1.net for more information and to apply. We carefully review every application received.

We welcome applications from candidates who are committed to multicultural understanding and enriching our diverse community. To ensure a safe and secure workplace, QA1 conducts criminal background checks and drug screenings for all new hires.