Production Planner

Position Summary

The Production Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and maintaining production schedules that support Freeberg's metal fabrication and assembly operations. The role translates customer demand, forecast requirements, inventory levels, and material availability into executable manufacturing schedules that optimize capacity utilization and ensure on-time delivery. The Production Planner works closely with Purchasing, Project Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Shipping, and Customer Service to balance customer needs with operational capabilities. This is a leveled position with increasing responsibility for schedule ownership, planning complexity, cross-functional coordination, and independent decision-making at each level.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production Planning and Scheduling

Review customer orders, forecasts, inventory levels, and MRP recommendations daily to develop and maintain production schedules.

Create, release, and manage manufacturing work orders in accordance with the master production schedule and available capacity.

Sequence and prioritize jobs to maximize efficiency while meeting customer delivery requirements.

Monitor production progress and adjust schedules in response to material shortages, equipment downtime, labor constraints, engineering changes, or shifts in customer priorities.

Coordinate scheduling across fabrication, machining, welding, paint, assembly, and shipping operations to ensure smooth workflow and resource utilization.

Capacity Planning and Cross-Functional Coordination

Analyze machine, labor, and facility capacity to develop realistic and achievable production schedules.

Work closely with Purchasing to ensure material availability aligns with scheduled production requirements.

Coordinate with Manufacturing Supervisors and Operations leadership to resolve bottlenecks and maintain schedule adherence.

Communicate schedule changes, shortages, and delivery risks to stakeholders in a timely manner.

Support Engineering and Quality teams during product launches, process changes, and corrective actions that impact production schedules.

ERP Data Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Maintain accurate planning parameters, routings, lead times, work center capacities, and scheduling data within the ERP/MRP system.

Generate and analyze reports related to production attainment, work-in-process, backlog, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery performance.

Monitor inventory levels and assist with cycle counting, inventory accuracy initiatives, and production control activities.

Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance scheduling efficiency, throughput, delivery performance, and inventory management.

Follow company procedures and support ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, and other applicable quality management system requirements.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred (required for Senior Production Planner).

Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, production scheduling, inventory control, and capacity planning.

Experience with ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment.

Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.

Ability to read and interpret bills of material, routings, and manufacturing documentation.

Legally authorized to work in the U.S. (E-Verify compliant).

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Experience in metal fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, or industrial manufacturing environments.

APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.

Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kanban systems, finite scheduling, and capacity planning methodologies.

Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.