Production Planner

The Senior Production Planner is responsible for optimizing the production planning process, ensuring efficient scheduling, material availability, and on-time delivery. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to forecast demand, manage inventory, and streamline production. The Senior Production Planner leads the planning team, drives continuous improvement, and ensures production targets, quality standards, and budget requirements are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 
Production Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the creation and maintenance of detailed production schedules to meet customer orders, forecast demands, and company targets.
• Optimize production schedules to ensure maximum resource utilization and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with production and procurement teams to ensure material availability and mitigate production disruptions.
• Monitor and adjust production plans based on capacity constraints, material availability, and demand fluctuations.

Inventory & Supply Chain Management

• Oversee inventory levels to ensure the right materials are available at the right time without overstocking.
• Work with the purchasing department to manage material procurement and plan for lead time variations.
• Ensure accurate tracking of material usage and adjust future demand forecasts accordingly.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce excess inventory and improve inventory turnover rates.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between production, purchasing, quality, and logistics teams to ensure alignment across departments.
• Collaborate with demand planning, supply chain, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate order fulfillment.
• Provide updates to leadership regarding production status, delays, or inventory shortages.

Process Improvement & Optimization

• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize the production planning process, reduce lead times, and increase efficiency.
• Drive the implementation of lean manufacturing principles to improve workflow and minimize waste.
• Analyze production data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a team of planners, providing guidance, support, and development opportunities.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and coach the team on best practices, skill development, and process improvements.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the planning team.

Reporting & Data Analysis

• Generate and analyze production reports to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) like on-time delivery, production efficiency, and material usage.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to leadership to enhance decision-making and improve planning outcomes.
• Ensure all production-related data is accurately entered and updated in ERP/MRP systems for visibility across teams.

Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

• Proactively identify and resolve production scheduling, material supply, or inventory management issues.
• Analyze complex production scenarios and make data-driven decisions to keep production on track and minimize delays.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to address any challenges or risks that could impact production timelines or customer delivery.

Other Duties as Assigned

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Responsibilities and tasks may be modified, expanded, or adjusted to reflect business needs or management requests.

Competencies

• Leadership
• Analytical and Problem-Solving 
• Time Management
• Communication and Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Orientation
   

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience and/or Training: 

• 5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or materials management, with at least 2 years in a senior or leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent understanding of production scheduling, inventory control, demand forecasting, and capacity planning.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and optimizing production processes.
• Proven ability to analyze data and drive continuous improvements in production planning.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience and/or Training: 

• APICS or equivalent certification (CPIM, CSCP).
• Experience in a metal fabrication, coatings, or industrial manufacturing environment.

Physical and Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. 
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must be able to lift and or carry up to 10 lbs occasionally.
• Travel: This position requires an estimated 20% annual travel between local offices. The travel will primarily involve visiting other local facilities to collaborate with different teams and support projects across our multiple, local locations and the entire organization. 20% = 1 day/week

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Working Environment
Work is performed in a general office environment with limited noise exposure and usually moderate. Noise may be loud when frequenting the production floor. Additionally, there will be occasional exposure to dust, metal debris, changes in ambient temperature, and requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual will encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.