Production Planning Manager

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting‑edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million‑square‑foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels—we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people‑focused, and forward‑thinking workplace, we want to hear from you! We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area. We are seeking an experienced and results‑driven Planning Manager to integrate market demand, build executable planning systems and production plan, and drive effective collaboration across Sales, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. Leading the Production Planning team, this role plays a critical part in balancing supply and demand, improving delivery performance, and enabling efficient S&OP operations. Key Responsibilities Collect and consolidate demand inputs including customer orders, sales forecasts, and forecasted demand plans. Translate demand inputs into standardized and executable planning requirements. Establish and maintain the customer demand data, ensuring data accuracy and timeliness. Collaborate with the Sales team to evaluate demand validity and confirm delivery plans. Manage order contracts and ERP system data, providing clear delivery commitments. Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) based on demand, capacity, material supply, and operational efficiencies. Coordinate and drive production capacity and material resources to ensure smooth execution of production plans. Identify risks to production plan execution and develop mitigation plans. Lead the Production Planning team in executing production plans, monitoring production performance, and dynamically adjusting plans to address changes. Analyze P-S-I and production plan execution performance and support Department Head on report preparation and reporting. Proactively identify and escape critical risks related to demand fluctuations, capacity constraints, and material shortages. Propose solutions. Provide data‑driven insights to support management decision‑making and company S&OP processes. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and continuously improve planning processes and operational efficiency. Support New Product Introduction (NPI), including pilot production (2TP) and mass production ramp‑up planning. Plan for product phase‑in and phase‑out transitions. Assess the impact of BOM changes on production plans and develop corresponding action plans. Ensure structured communications on changeovers from Planning perspective. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered. 7+ years of experience in production planning, demand planning, scheduling, or related operations planning roles, preferably within a manufacturing environment. Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and changing production demands. Experience working with ERP systems, planning tools, and advanced spreadsheet modeling for production and capacity planning. Proven ability to build, maintain, and analyze complex production planning models, forecasts, and scheduling scenarios. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner cross‑functionally across operations, supply chain, engineering, and leadership teams. At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward. #J-18808-Ljbffr