Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Responsibilities

This position, located in Whitehall, MI, is responsible for coordinating customer orders, production schedules, and material flow to ensure on-time delivery, efficient operations, and strong customer satisfaction. The Production Planner serves as a key liaison between customers, planning, manufacturing, and sales teams to ensure priorities are aligned and plant commitments are met.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting pay: Up to $80,000+ annually

• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with match, paid time off, and other standard full-time benefits

Job Roles

• Communicates with regular and prospective customers regarding requirements, timelines, concerns, and general service inquiries.

• Responds promptly to customer questions related to project status, open orders, and unresolved issues.

• Performs audits and checks of scheduling rules and collaborates with internal departments to support On-Time Delivery targets.

• Tracks open items, secures purchase order coverage, and resolves contractual issues that may delay input or shipment of customer requirements.

• Processes orders for assigned account portfolio, including order entry, order maintenance, vendor coordination, and providing accurate acknowledgments to customers.

• Coordinates with scheduling personnel to plan and schedule workflow based on established production sequences and lead times.

• Confers with department supervisors to monitor the status of active projects.

• Expedites operations when delays occur and adjusts schedules to accommodate unforeseen conditions.

• Performs daily reconciliation of shipments to maintain accuracy and performance visibility.

• Collaborates with planning, manufacturing, and sales teams to optimize customer satisfaction and production efficiency.

• Maintains visibility of overdue jobs, performs root-cause analysis, and develops recovery schedules.

• Coordinates with external vendors on product flow and communicates production priorities to internal teams.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a manufacturing environment

• Legally authorized to work in the United States (no visa sponsorship available)

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS certification

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

• Strong multitasking ability with effective project management skills

• Experience with automated order systems

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and material flow

• Strong analytical ability, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel

• Ability to develop and apply planning strategies to support operational goals