Production Planner

Production Planner

On-site | Temp-to-Hire | $25 - $30 | Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Position Summary: The Production Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules to ensure customer demand is met while optimizing inventory levels, production capacity, labor, and materials. This position works closely with Production, Purchasing, Warehouse, Quality, Sales, and Operations teams to ensure materials and resources are available when needed and production goals are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules based on customer demand, inventory levels, available capacity, and material availability.
• Review customer orders, forecasts, inventory levels, and production requirements to establish priorities.
• Coordinate production activities across manufacturing departments to ensure on-time completion of orders.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules in response to material shortages, equipment downtime, labor constraints, quality issues, or changing customer requirements.
• Create and maintain production plans, work orders, and scheduling information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Work closely with Purchasing to ensure raw materials and components are available according to production requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels and help maintain appropriate raw material, work-in-process, and finished-goods inventory.
• Identify potential production constraints and communicate risks and recovery plans to management and affected departments.
• Analyze production capacity, staffing requirements, lead times, and bottlenecks to improve schedule performance.
• Track key performance indicators such as on-time delivery, schedule adherence, inventory levels, and production efficiency.
• Participate in daily production meetings and provide updates regarding schedule status, priorities, and constraints.
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Service regarding order priorities, lead times, and changes to customer requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives involving production planning, inventory management, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate planning data, including bills of material, lead times, lot sizes, and planning parameters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, materials planning, manufacturing, or supply chain operations.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and respond effectively to changing production requirements.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• APICS/ASCM certification such as CPIM or CSCP.
• Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience analyzing capacity, forecasting demand, and managing inventory.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis.

Key Performance Indicators

• Production schedule adherence
• On-time delivery performance
• Inventory accuracy and inventory levels
• Material availability
• Production capacity utilization
• Schedule changes and expediting activity
• Reduction of production downtime and bottlenecks

Work Environment: This position works in both an office and manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production personnel, supervisors, purchasing, warehouse, quality, sales, and management. Occasional time on the manufacturing floor may be required to monitor production progress and resolve scheduling issues.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods. Ability to access manufacturing and warehouse areas. Ability to occasionally lift or move materials consistent with company safety requirements. Ability to communicate effectively in a manufacturing environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The company is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.