Manufacturing Production Planner

Manufacturing Production Planner

The Manufacturing Production Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules that meet customer demand, optimize resource utilization, and support continuous manufacturing operations. This role coordinates material availability, capacity planning, and cross-functional communication to ensure on-time delivery, minimize inventory costs, and respond proactively to production disruptions.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and adjust master production schedules and detailed work orders to meet customer delivery dates and demand forecasts.
• Coordinate with procurement, production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure material availability, capacity alignment, and smooth workflow.
• Analyze demand forecasts, sales orders, and inventory levels to determine production priorities and plan sequencing.
• Develop short-, mid-, and long-term production plans that optimize equipment use, labor, and materials while reducing lead times and costs.
• Monitor production progress, identify bottlenecks or deviations, and implement corrective actions to maintain schedule adherence.
• Manage changes to schedules due to priority orders, material shortages, or equipment issues and communicate impacts to stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records in ERP/MRP systems, update production data, and generate KPI reports on schedule attainment, inventory turns, and on-time delivery.
• Collaborate in continuous improvement initiatives to streamline planning processes, improve scheduling accuracy, and reduce waste.
• Perform capacity planning and scenario modeling to support decision-making for staffing, overtime, and capital needs.
• Support new product introductions by developing initial production plans, routings, and ramp-up schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3+ years of production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations experience in a high-mix or high-volume environment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials planning, capacity constraints, and inventory management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to create and adjust production schedules, prioritize work, and manage competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams, including procurement, production, engineering, and sales.
• Analytical problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset (Lean, Six Sigma experience is a plus).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle schedule changes, disruptions, and urgent orders effectively.
• Familiarity with planning tools and techniques such as finite capacity scheduling, rough-cut capacity planning, and demand forecasting is preferred.

For this position you must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor for this position.