Production Planner

The Production Control Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring production schedules to ensure customer requirements, production priorities, and delivery commitments are achieved. This position coordinates the flow of materials and work through the manufacturing process while balancing production capacity, material availability, inventory levels, and customer demand. The Production Control Planner works closely with Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Customer Service, and Shipping & Receiving to identify potential constraints, resolve scheduling issues, and maintain alignment between customer requirements and manufacturing capabilities. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This individual must be able to anticipate potential production or material issues, communicate priorities effectively, and coordinate cross-functional resources to keep production on schedule. Develop, maintain, and communicate production schedules based on customer demand, material availability, production capacity, and established delivery requirements. Schedule and monitor production orders throughout the manufacturing process to support on-time completion and delivery. Review customer orders and establish realistic production and completion dates based on machine and labor capacity, material availability, manufacturing backlog, order quantities, routing requirements, product complexity, outside processing, and historical production performance. Monitor work-in-process (WIP), open production orders, material availability, shortages, past-due materials, and production progress to identify potential scheduling or delivery issues. Proactively identify production constraints, material shortages, capacity limitations, and other risks that may impact customer requirements or delivery commitments. Coordinate with Production Supervisors and department leaders to establish manufacturing priorities and communicate schedule changes, shortages, delays, and other issues affecting production. Partner with Purchasing to establish and maintain appropriate supply schedules with key suppliers based on production requirements and customer demand. Work closely with Purchasing and suppliers to identify and resolve material shortages or supplier-related issues that may affect production schedules. Coordinate with Customer Service, Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Shipping, and Operations to ensure production priorities remain aligned with customer requirements. Monitor production performance against established schedules and mand mand ??? Review work-in-process for potential shortages, short yields, abnormal delays, incomplete operations, order-closing issues, and other conditions that could impact production flow. Maintain accurate production planning and scheduling information within the company's ERP/MRP system. Review material requirements and inventory levels to support production while minimizing excess raw material and work-in-process inventory. Assist with inventory planning and control activities to maintain appropriate inventory levels while supporting customer service and operational requirements. Analyze production data, historical performance, lead times, capacity, and scheduling trends to identify opportunities for improved planning accuracy and manufacturing efficiency. Participate in the development and implementation of improved production planning, scheduling, inventory control, and manufacturing systems and processes. Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve production flow, reduce lead times, minimize inventory, and increase on-time delivery performance. Communicate production priorities and potential issues clearly and effectively across departments and levels of the organization. Maintain accurate planning documentation, production records, reports, and system data. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications: 7 - 10 years of experience in production planning, production control, manufacturing scheduling, materials planning, or a related manufacturing role preferred. Strong working knowledge of manufacturing planning concepts, including MRP, Bills of Material (BOM), routings, work orders, inventory management, capacity planning, and production scheduling. Experience working with ERP/MRP systems required; experience with Sage systems, including Sage MAS 100, preferred. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify potential issues and develop effective solutions. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust production schedules in response to changing customer and operational requirements. Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-through and time-management skills. Proactive, self-motivated individual who can work independently while effectively coordinating activities across multiple departments. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate production priorities, constraints, and expectations effectively. Ability to work collaboratively with Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Customer Service, Sales, Shipping, and other functional teams. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel. Ability to analyze production, inventory, and scheduling data and translate information into actionable production plans. Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment strongly preferred. This position operates in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular interaction with production employees, supervisors, and other departments throughout the facility. This role may require time on the production floor to review work-in-process, production status, material availability, and manufacturing priorities. The position requires the ability to manage changing priorities, respond to production and material issues, and work effectively in a deadline-driven manufacturing environment. Why Join National Signal? At National Signal, we are committed to designing and delivering innovative solutions that help protect the traveling public and road workers while making transportation safer, smarter, and more sustainable. National Signal is an Equal Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr