Production Control Planner

Job Description

Job Description

The Production Control Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing production schedules to meet customer demand, support manufacturing capacity requirements, and ensure on-time delivery. This role serves as a critical link between customers, production, shipping, engineering, and operations teams to balance production requirements, inventory objectives, and manufacturing capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working within an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment and possess strong knowledge of production control processes, MRP/ERP systems, APQP requirements, lean manufacturing principles, and automotive customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly production schedules using information from the company's MRP/ERP system.
• Review customer demand requirements and production forecasts to identify fluctuations and adjust schedules accordingly.
• Monitor daily production output versus scheduled requirements to ensure customer demand and delivery commitments are achieved.
• Identify production schedule gaps, analyze root causes, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain accurate production schedules by updating completed quantities, shortages, and outstanding customer requirements.
• Coordinate with Production Supervisors and Operations Management to evaluate labor capacity, schedule overtime, and support production requirements.
• Collaborate with production, shipping, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure on-time delivery performance.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives focused on improving scheduling processes, production efficiency, run sizes, and inventory levels.
• Continuously evaluate and improve scheduling methods, systems, and processes to support changing production requirements.
• Coordinate engineering change activities, including bank builds, build-outs, engineering level changes, and new part number implementation.
• Support APQP activities, production launches, and customer-specific requirements as needed.
• Monitor finished goods and work-in-process (WIP) inventory levels to support inventory turn objectives.
• Participate in internal quality audits and support compliance with automotive quality systems.
• Track and report key production metrics, including schedule attainment, delivery performance, capacity utilization, and inventory performance.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in production control, production planning, scheduling, or a similar role within an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline; equivalent automotive manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Experience using MRP/ERP systems for production planning and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, customer requirements, and production control practices.
• Experience supporting APQP activities, engineering changes, and new product launches.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Strong time management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification.
• Experience with automotive OEM customer requirements and scheduling systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and quality systems such as IATF 16949.
• Experience managing production capacity, inventory targets, and customer delivery requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across production, engineering, logistics, and leadership teams.