Operations Optimization & Production Schedule

Job description:

United Direct Solutions is currently looking for a Operations Optimization & Production Planning Analyst

This is an IN-PERSON position. The schedule for this position would be Monday- Friday 8:00AM- 5:00PM

United Direct Solutions has facilities in Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH. Our company employs hundreds of individual workers and their hard work does not go unappreciated or unrewarded. Here are just a few benefits you will find as an employee:

• Competitive Pay
• Clean and Climate Controlled Facility
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance; Life Insurance; 401(K)
• Career Development/Mentorship Opportunities
• Quick and Steady Advancement
• United Direct Solutions formerly known as United Mail was named Best Workplace 2020 by Printing Industries of America
• United Direct Solutions formerly known as United Mail has 40 Years of Commitment to Employees

SUMMARY

The Operations Optimization & Production Planning Analyst is responsible for managing the master production schedule for print and direct mail operations across both production sites while leveraging operational data to improve efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making. This role mines and analyzes data from Midnight and related systems to provide visibility into production performance, labor utilization, and job costing. By translating system data into actionable insights, the analyst supports operations leadership in improving scheduling accuracy, pricing and estimating alignment, productivity, and overall production planning across both locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop, maintain, and optimize the master production schedule for print and direct mail operations across both facilities.
• Analyze production volumes, trends, and historical data to forecast growth, plan for new business, and anticipate capacity constraints.
• Assist with capacity planning, scheduling visibility, and resource allocation across both facilities.
• Support high-level scheduling across sites, ensuring workload balance and on-time delivery.
• Identify bottlenecks, machine loading issues, and opportunities for operational improvements.
• Collaborate with operations teams to optimize daily and long-term production planning.
• Collaborate with estimating and operations teams to enhance pricing models, job costing accuracy, and profitability analysis.
• Support the development and implementation of AI-assisted or data-informed scheduling tools to improve accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Extract, analyze, and interpret operational data from Midnight and other relevant systems.
• Monitor metrics including customer sheet counts, record counts, monthly production trends, run data, machine utilization, and productivity by job, operator, and department.
• Build and maintain internal dashboards and reporting tools to provide leadership with real-time visibility into production volume trends, productivity metrics, capacity utilization, labor efficiency, and overtime patterns.
• Integrate data from multiple systems (e.g., Midnight, Quadient, postage/meter systems, and financial systems in collaboration with accounting) to provide comprehensive operational insights.
• Partner with operations leadership to identify opportunities for process improvements and best practice implementation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of production processes, recommending changes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve throughput.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies, including AI, automation, and analytics tools, to enhance production planning and optimization capabilities.
• Identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflow.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across departments by providing data-driven recommendations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
• Schedule Adherence (%) - Percentage of jobs completed on or ahead of the planned schedule.
• On-Time Delivery (%) - Percentage of orders delivered to customers on time.
• Machine Utilization (%) - Measure of equipment usage versus available capacity across both sites.
• AI/Data-Driven Recommendations Implemented - Number or percentage of suggestions from system analytics incorporated into scheduling or operational improvements.
• Operational Insights Delivered - Number of actionable insights or reports delivered to leadership that improve scheduling, efficiency, or cost management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and have the ability to quickly learn or have a reasonable amount of knowledge and understanding of the industry. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Strong understanding of production planning and scheduling principles, including master scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow optimization.
• Proficiency with operational systems and production data tools, such as Midnight or similar MIS/ERP systems.
• Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to extract, manipulate, and interpret large data sets.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights to support operational decision-making, productivity improvements, and job costing accuracy.
• Excellent mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including forecasting, variance analysis, and trend evaluation.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively collaborate with operations leadership, scheduling teams, and cross-functional departments.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
• Knowledge of print and direct mail production processes preferred.
• Experience in continuous improvement initiatives or process optimization projects is a plus.
• Ability to work across multiple sites, occasionally visiting production floors to validate schedules and operational assumptions.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and proactive with a results-driven mindset.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and provide solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI and advanced analytics tools to optimize production scheduling, improve forecasting accuracy, enhance operational efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making in operations and production planning.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered. 3-5 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, operations analysis, or a related role, ideally within print, direct mail, or manufacturing environments. Experience with master scheduling, capacity planning, and job costing is highly desirable. Proficiency in using operational systems and data analytics tools (e.g., Midnight, Excel, BI platforms) to drive process improvements is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret operational reports, production schedules, and system-generated data. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly present findings, trends, and recommendations to operations leadership and cross-functional teams. Ability to translate complex operational and system data into clear, actionable insights that support production planning, scheduling decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives. Ability to effectively communicate with production, scheduling, and management teams across multiple locations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret production data, capacity metrics, and operational performance indicators. Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as percentages, ratios, averages, variance analysis, and trend analysis to evaluate production efficiency, labor utilization, and job costing accuracy. Capable of performing forecasting calculations, workload balancing, and capacity planning to support master production scheduling across multiple production lines and locations. Ability to analyze large data sets to identify patterns, measure performance, and support data-driven operational improvements.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to analyze complex operational and production data, identify patterns or inefficiencies, and develop practical solutions to improve scheduling, workflow, and overall production performance. Demonstrated ability to interpret information from multiple systems and sources, evaluate operational impacts, and make sound recommendations that support production planning and business objectives. Ability to prioritize competing demands, anticipate operational constraints, and apply logical, data-driven reasoning to support decision-making across multiple departments and production sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The role is primarily performed in an office environment but may require periodic presence on the production floor at both facilities. The employee is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively with team members. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk through production areas, and lift or move items weighing up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision for computer work and the ability to view production reports, schedules, and system data. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, including those related to the physical demands described above, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment for this position is primarily an office setting with regular interaction with production operations at both facilities. The employee will frequently work with computer systems and operational data while collaborating with operations leadership, scheduling, and production teams. Periodic time on the production floor may be required to observe workflow, validate scheduling assumptions, and support operational improvements. While in production areas, the employee may be exposed to typical manufacturing conditions such as moving machinery, moderate noise levels, and varying temperatures. Appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment must be followed when entering production environments. Travel may be required between company production facilities to support production planning, scheduling coordination, and operational analysis.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Monday- Friday 8:00AM- 5:00PM