Production Planner Lead - Fab Value Stream

The Production Planning Lead – Fab Value Stream coordinates and facilitates the flow of information, work, and materials throughout the organization and across the value stream. Uses information from customer orders and other sources to review and prepare production documents that guide the assembly and manufacturing of products as required. Coordinates production schedules with manufacturing to ensure customer product and delivery expectations are met while optimizing workflow, material availability, and production capacity.

Partners with Purchasing, Operations, and Value Stream leadership to support the timely acquisition of materials and services, identify and address constraints, improve throughput, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction.

• Provide daily leadership, guidance, and support to Production Planners.
• Prioritize and distribute workloads to ensure planning activities are completed accurately and on time.
• Train, mentor, and develop Production Planners on systems, processes, and best practices.
• Monitor planner performance and provide coaching to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex planning, scheduling, inventory, and customer service issues.
• Promote cross-functional communication between Planning, Operations, Purchasing, Sales, and Quality.
• Assist management with process improvements, departmental initiatives, and strategic planning activities.
• Support departmental performance objectives, including on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

• Oversee daily production planning activities and ensure production schedules support customer requirements.
• Review sales orders and verify accurate planning and scheduling activities.
• Manage and support Make-to-Order (MTO) and Make-to-Stock (MTS) production planning processes.
• Review and approve production job orders and manufacturing planning orders (MPOs) as required.
• Monitor production schedules and identify potential material, capacity, or scheduling constraints.
• Coordinate material transfers and production priorities with other planners and departments.
• Manage order expedites, schedule changes, and customer priority requests.
• Ensure barcodes, work orders, and planning documentation are generated accurately.
• Analyze planning data and recommend adjustments to safety stock levels, reorder points, and inventory strategies.
• Lead planning efforts to balance production capacity with customer demand.

• Monitor inventory levels to support production requirements while minimizing excess inventory.
• Review inventory discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions.
• Oversee cycle count activities and inventory adjustment transactions.
• Ensure production reports are completed, reviewed, and distributed accurately and timely.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and material utilization.
• Assist with physical inventory activities and reconciliation efforts.

• Work closely with Operations, Inside Sales and Customer Service to support customer delivery requirements.
• Provide guidance on order prioritization and expedite requests.
• Communicate production status updates and estimated completion dates as needed.
• Resolve planning-related issues that may impact customer commitments.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of production planning, scheduling, materials management, purchasing, or related manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of Operations experience
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or team coordination experience.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to analyze data, prioritize workload, and solve problems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• APICS/ASCM, CPIM, CSCP, or other supply chain certification - Preferred
• Experience in…