Production Planner

The Role 

The Production Planner Scheduler is responsible for the plant production planning, raw material procurement plan and shipment scheduling.  This role will have the opportunity to work throughout the entire supply chain from procuring raw materials, to production planning, and finally interfacing with customers on delivery and forecasting of materials.  This position will provide a detailed production schedule at the plant and work directly with corporate purchasing and raw material suppliers to streamline raw material procurement. This role works in a dynamic environment created by frequent new product introductions, so the ability to react and adapt to change is critical. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Works independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision, to complete job-related tasks and projects in a safe, compliant and efficient manner. 

• Ensure timely and accurate response to customer’s forecast and orders by providing the required information, schedules, materials and accurate systems to the manufacturing unit.   

• Manage capacity and present to team scenario planning when capacity constrained 

• Responsible for the integration of sales forecasts, budgets raw, in-process, and finished goods inventory.  

• Work with corporate purchasing to order raw materials per customer forecast and work closely with project managers and technical services to manage the RFQ process during development stage of products. 

• Create purchase orders while managing info records and getting bid variance approval when required 

• Support Finance-related questions to help determine batch value based on raw material cost 

• Develop metrics and reports that enable business analysis of inventory health and help drive action to improve it 

• Forecast RM needs to key suppliers while managing site RM pipeline by ensuring DOH is managed effectively to avoid purchasing obsolete inventory 

• Lead or participate in a cross-functional team to ensure proper implementation of MRP to more effectively manage RM and FG inventory pipeline 

• Support SAP new part request for frequent introduction of new materials and products. 

• Identify continuous improvement initiatives including but not limited to reducing inventory levels, material flow and reducing ship cycle times 

• Work closely with purchasing team to identify and rectify supply risks (sole-sourced materials, poor supply performance, etc.) 

• Advocate for environmental, health and safety compliance.  Ensures production operations are completed in accordance with environmental health and safety and quality compliance at all times, and in line with Company procedures, statutory, regulatory and operating licence requirements. 

• Works as part of a cross functional team to deliver new product or processes, resolve issues, implement change and other site initiatives. 

• Cleans and maintains work areas and ancillary areas, plant and equipment to the highest standards. 

• Fully engages in programmes such as Continuous Improvement, Total Productive and Maintenance (TPM), 5S, Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality, Self-directed Teams etc. 

• Attend and complete all training and development as requested. 

• Lead and or participate in process, quality and safety, inspections, audits, deviation investigations, HAZOP’s, change management, root cause analysis and development of solutions. 

• Any other duties or responsibilities relevant to the role of Production Planner Scheduler. 

Education, Knowledge & Experience 

• Degree or other relevant qualification is preferred, ideally holds APICS certification. 

• Minimum 5 experience in a production planning, material planning and/or supply chain planning role, ideally in a chemical or pharmaceutical industry. 

• Knowledge of regulatory and legislative requirements (environmental, health and safety, and quality and employment law). 

• High level computer proficient for example, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAP etc. 

• Experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, lean, six-sigma certified, project management, change management would be an advantage. 

Skills & Behaviours 

• Excellent level of attendance and punctuality is required. 

• Good work ethic and ability to meet assigned tasks, responsibilities, objectives and timelines. 

• Excellent organisation and time management; is organised and can prioritise business demands. 

• Maintains good working relationships with all colleagues and treats colleagues with dignity and respect. 

• Communication: excellent listening, written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal skills (ability to communicate effectively at all levels and provide clear direction). 

• Attention to detail and high level of reporting accuracy with respect to all aspects of the role. 

• Proactive, self-starter, positive attitude, flexible and open to change, willingness to learn and take on additional responsibilities. 

• Exercises discretion and confidentiality always, in relation to all Company and commercial matters. 

• Strong problem solving, creative thinking and analytical skills. 

• Methodical and structured approach to decision making.