Production Planner

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Production Planner to join our dynamic operations team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the Master Production Schedule (MPS), ensuring seamless alignment between demand forecasts, customer orders, and production capacity. Your expertise will drive efficient workflows, optimize resource utilization, and guarantee on-time delivery of products. By balancing demand, capacity, and inventory levels, you will play a critical role in maintaining operational excellence and supporting the company’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

The Production Planner will serve as the backbone of our production scheduling and execution processes. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Master Production Schedule (MPS) Development and Maintenance: Create, update, and maintain the MPS to ensure it accurately reflects demand forecasts, customer orders, and production capabilities. Continuously refine the schedule to adapt to changing priorities and market conditions.
• Demand and Capacity Alignment: Translate demand forecasts and customer commitments into a feasible production plan by analyzing historical data, market trends, and operational constraints. Ensure the plan remains achievable while meeting delivery commitments.
• Production Execution Monitoring: Track production activities against the MPS, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions to minimize disruptions. Maintain real-time visibility into production progress to proactively address potential bottlenecks.
• Production Scheduling and Workflow Optimization: Schedule production activities with precision to meet delivery deadlines, optimize resource allocation, and enhance workflow efficiency. Ensure that production schedules are communicated clearly to all stakeholders, including manufacturing, logistics, and procurement teams.
• Inventory and Capacity Balancing: Monitor inventory levels and production capacity to maintain optimal stock levels while avoiding overproduction or shortages. Conduct rough-cut capacity planning to identify potential constraints and recommend solutions to prevent delays.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, procurement, logistics, and manufacturing teams to align priorities, resolve planning conflicts, and ensure a cohesive approach to production execution. Act as a liaison between departments to facilitate smooth communication and decision-making.
• Performance Analysis and Reporting: Generate reports on production performance, schedule adherence, and capacity utilization. Provide actionable insights to leadership to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in this role, you will bring a combination of technical expertise, analytical acumen, and strong interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Education and Experience: A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or a related field within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create complex spreadsheets, pivot tables, and data analysis tools. Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms is highly desirable.
• Industry Knowledge: A solid understanding of production processes, including manufacturing methodologies, lead times, and capacity constraints. Experience with lean manufacturing principles or continuous improvement initiatives is a plus.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze data, identify trends, and solve complex problems. Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to addressing challenges are essential.
• Communication and Coordination: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Strong organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Why Join Us?

As a Production Planner, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of a forward-thinking organization while developing your skills in a dynamic and collaborative environment. This role offers the chance to make a tangible impact on our operations, drive efficiency improvements, and support the company’s growth objectives. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a passion for operational excellence, we encourage you to apply and become a key player in our production planning team.