The Role
Supports manufacturing planning by reviewing and releasing production orders, identifying material shortages, coordinating schedule changes, providing custom ship dates, and supporting purchase orders. Maintains Kanban processes, helps establish reorder points and safety stock, analyzes inventory and operational data, and identifies efficiency improvements. Collaborates with Sales, Supply Chain, Order Entry, and Production teams to align materials, capacity, inventory, and customer demand.
Summary Generated by Built In
Turn Data Into Action. Keep Production Moving.
Task Force Tips, LLC. (TFT) is an established manufacturer of firefighting equipment based in Valparaiso, IN. Our continuous improvement process ensures we help first responders save lives and protect property more safely and effectively than the day before.
We are searching for a Planning Analyst I to support our manufacturing operations by helping ensure the right materials and resources are available at the right time to keep production moving and customer orders on schedule.
Our desired team member should be goal-driven, have integrity and grit, and have a passion for putting lifesaving equipment in the hands of our first responders. If you enjoy working with data, coordinating across teams, solving problems, and seeing your decisions have a direct impact on manufacturing operations, this could be a great opportunity for you.
Our Culture is Contagious! Come grow with us and be part of the TFT Proud Culture! Be a part of saving lives and protecting property by putting life-saving products in the hands of our first responders!
View our video: TFT, a Firefighter Legacy
What You’ll Do
- Review, initiate, firm, and release job orders for production activities in Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, and Finishing departments, or as assigned by the Planning and Inventory Manager.
- Review the shortage report each morning to proactively identify parts needed for upcoming orders in Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, and Finishing areas, and communicate with appropriate managers to help reprioritize daily schedules.
- Work with Order Entry to provide custom ship dates on spike orders by referencing bills of materials to identify long lead-time items and reviewing on-hand inventory and available capacity.
- Support the Supply Chain team with the review of material constraints and issuance of purchase orders to support customer demand.
- Liaise with Sales, Supply Chain, and Production Managers as required to make decisions on expedites and other circumstances that may require a change in schedule.
- Conduct weekly/monthly Kanban audits, replace missing cards, and retrain personnel who may be deviating from TFT’s Kanban process.
- Support the Planning and Inventory Manager in determining and establishing reorder points, safety stock, fulfillment quantities, and other parameters to continuously optimize inventory levels of TFT-manufactured parts.
- Support the implementation of Epicor Fulfillment and Material Flow as assigned by the Planning and Inventory Manager.
- Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements in inventory flow.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field; or an Associate’s degree combined with relevant work experience.
- 1–2 years of Production Control, Planning, or Scheduling experience preferred, but not required.
- Ability to query and analyze large amounts of inventory, sales, and other operational data to make long-range forecasts of material requirements.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, Power Query, and similar functions.
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is preferred.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as Kanban and Heijunka is a plus.
- Detail-oriented, professional, responsive, resourceful, flexible, and well-organized.
- Strong bias for action with the ability to be self-motivated and effectively manage time and priorities.
- Ability to promote positive working relationships with teammates and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with employees throughout the organization.
Work Authorization & Onsite Requirement:
This position is 100% onsite and requires regular, in-person attendance at our Valparaiso, Indiana facility. Visa or immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring current or future sponsorship.
This position is 100% onsite and requires regular, in-person attendance at our Valparaiso, Indiana facility. Visa or immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring current or future sponsorship.
Make an Impact at TFT
Our customers depend on TFT products being available when they need them. As a Planning Analyst I, your work directly supports that commitment. You’ll help connect customer demand with production capacity, inventory, and material availability, giving you the opportunity to make a visible impact across the organization.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys turning data into decisions, solving operational challenges, and working collaboratively across departments. You’ll gain hands-on experience in manufacturing planning, inventory management, production scheduling, and supply chain while contributing to a mission that directly impacts first responders around the world.
Join TFT and help us keep production moving, improve the way we work, and put lifesaving equipment in the hands of those who need it most.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field, or an Associate’s degree combined with relevant work experience
- 1–2 years of Production Control, Planning, or Scheduling experience
- Ability to query and analyze large amounts of inventory, sales, and operational data for material forecasting
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, and Power Query
- Experience with Tableau or Power BI
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as Kanban and Heijunka
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to manage time and priorities effectively
- Ability to build positive working relationships and resolve conflicts constructively
- Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
- Ability to work 100% onsite with regular in-person attendance in Valparaiso, Indiana
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The Company
What We Do
Task Force Tips designs and manufactures firefighting equipment for firefighters and emergency responders, with products spanning nozzles, monitors, valves, foam equipment, water-flow hardware, and water and foam appliances. Its tools support municipal, wildland, industrial, and fire-protection operations. The company’s stated mission is to save lives and protect property through innovative equipment, alongside technical support and educational resources that help fire departments use their equipment effectively.
