Planning Engineer

Role Overview

The Planning Engineer plays a pivotal role in optimizing production processes for HVAC coil products, including chilled water coils, condenser coils, and evaporator coils. This position is instrumental in ensuring seamless coordination between sales, procurement, and production teams while driving operational efficiency and on-time delivery. By developing strategic production plans and schedules, the Planning Engineer maximizes resource utilization, mitigates delays, and aligns manufacturing activities with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

The Planning Engineer is tasked with designing and executing comprehensive production plans that encompass daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. This involves:

• Developing detailed production schedules for critical manufacturing processes, including fin pressing, tube expansion, brazing, and testing;
• Ensuring optimal machine loading and efficient allocation of manpower to meet production targets;
• Adapting production plans in real-time to accommodate priority orders, unforeseen delays, or material shortages;
• Balancing workload distribution to maintain consistent output and minimize bottlenecks.

Material Requirement Planning (MRP)

Effective MRP is essential to prevent disruptions in the supply chain. The Planning Engineer will:

• Analyze Bills of Materials (BOM) for HVAC coils to determine raw material requirements;
• Collaborate closely with the procurement team to secure timely delivery of critical components such as copper tubes, aluminum fins, and headers;
• Monitor inventory levels to prevent overstocking or shortages, ensuring cost-effective procurement;
• Track supplier lead times and adjust planning parameters to mitigate potential delays.

Cross-Functional Coordination

This role requires seamless collaboration with multiple departments to ensure alignment and operational excellence:

• Serving as a liaison between the sales team and production floor to prioritize orders and manage delivery commitments;
• Working alongside production supervisors to enforce adherence to established schedules;
• Engaging with procurement, quality assurance, and logistics teams to streamline workflows and resolve issues;
• Providing transparent and timely updates on production status, potential delays, and corrective actions.

Capacity Planning & Process Optimization

The Planning Engineer will evaluate production capacity against demand to identify opportunities for improvement:

• Assessing current production capacity and comparing it with forecasted demand;
• Pinpointing bottlenecks within coil manufacturing processes and proposing viable solutions, such as overtime, outsourcing, or process enhancements;
• Supporting strategic initiatives related to expansion planning and equipment utilization;
• Driving continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles and efficiency gains.

Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Maintaining operational visibility and accountability is critical. The Planning Engineer will:

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery (OTD), production efficiency, and plan versus actual output;
• Generate detailed daily, weekly, and monthly planning reports to inform decision-making;
• Analyze deviations from planned schedules and implement corrective measures to restore efficiency;
• Identify inefficiencies in planning workflows and production processes, recommending data-driven improvements;
• Participate in ERP/MRP system enhancements to improve accuracy, automation, and reporting capabilities.

Documentation & System Management

Accurate and up-to-date documentation is vital for operational integrity:

• Maintaining precise planning data within the ERP system to ensure data integrity;
• Updating routings, work centers, and production parameters to reflect current processes;
• Documenting production plans, revisions, and rationale for future reference and audits.

Qualifications & Skills

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical field;
• Minimum of 5–8 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing planning, with a preference for roles in HVAC or heat exchanger production;
• In-depth knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and their application in production planning;
• Strong understanding of HVAC coil manufacturing processes, including material handling, assembly, and quality control;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools to interpret production metrics and trends;
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to stakeholders at all levels;
• Analytical mindset and problem-solving capabilities to address operational challenges and drive continuous improvement.