Production Planning Specialist

Position Overview We are a St. Louis manufacturer seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Production Planning Specialist to join our dynamic team. Our Production Planning Specialist will play a critical role at the heart of our manufacturing operations. This role is all about balance: aligning material availability, production capacity, and inventory levels to keep our operations running smoothly and efficiently. Our planning specialist coordinates with various departments, monitors production progress, and identifies and resolves potential issues that may impact the schedule. You’ll work closely with sales, operations, and procurement teams to ensure we not only meet delivery expectations but do so with precision and cost-effectiveness. Key Responsibilities Develop, publish, and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) Creating detailed schedules that align with customer requirements, production capacity, and material availability Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Demand Planning to translate demand forecasts into executable production plans. Identify and resolve capacity constraints and material shortages in advance to mitigate production risks. Manage planning parameters, such as lead times, safety stock levels, and planning horizons, within the ERP system. Support new product introductions and engineering changes by coordinating production readiness. Provide clear communication of production priorities and schedule changes to manufacturing and supporting departments. Monitor slow-moving and obsolete inventory and develop plans to address it. Perform other duties as assigned. Key Strengths and Skills Ability to work well with others Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. In-depth knowledge of computerized integrated information systems (manufacturing, materials management, and production planning) and a superior understanding of manufacturing material flow in a plant. High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams), Smartsheet, Tableau, and other planning tools as available. Proactive change agent to build and maintain a team-oriented environment. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with various departments throughout the organization. Possess strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work on multiple priorities at once. FULL BENEFIT package that includes: Vacation, Holiday, Sick Time Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401(k) Retirement & Company Match Secure Free Parking Experience & Education: Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Supply Chain, Purchasing, or Business Management APICS CPIM or CSCP certification Three to five years of production or supply chain planning & scheduling in a manufacturing environment Two years in demand planning or an equivalent role Production planning or scheduling experience using integrated business software Experience with ERP/MRP systems – Epicor preferred but not required