Production Planner, Custom Products

About the role

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Production Planner to coordinate and manage production planning activities within a custom manufacturing environment. The role is responsible for releasing, scheduling, monitoring, and managing work orders to ensure products are manufactured efficiently, accurately, and delivered on time.

• Manage the full lifecycle of production work orders—from creation to completion—ensuring data accuracy, timely release, and alignment with production goals.
• Maintain and update the production schedule based on demand forecasts, capacity constraints, and material availability.
• Act as a liaison between Production, Customer Service, Project Management, Sales, and other departments to coordinate production plans and resolve scheduling issues.
• Track production progress and order status in SAP; provide committed dates and identify potential delays or bottlenecks.
• Analyze demand planning and inventory data to optimize schedules and ensure efficient resource utilization.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Supply Chain to forecast material requirements and mitigate potential disruptions.
• Apply lean manufacturing practices to streamline workflow and minimize waste.
• Generate and maintain reports on production status, rates, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Provide backup support to the Production Control Supervisor and Operations Manager as needed.
• Use ERP tools for demand planning, forecasting, production scheduling, inventory, and materials management.
• Analyze MRP and Material Master data for accuracy; adjust system settings to optimize outcomes.
• Develop build schedules using ERP data, capacity management, and lead times to meet customer demand.
• Monitor and balance work center capacity/load while considering customer and internal priorities.
• Regularly update manufacturing due dates to keep production plans current.
• Prepare analytical reports to support business decision‑making.
• Support inventory level management, backlog monitoring, and product availability analysis.
• Review and recommend changes to standard lot sizes, safety stock levels, and forecast parameters.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to address urgent orders, material shortages, or capacity issues.
• Communicate BOM and routing requirements with Engineering.
• Continuously seek improvements in planning, scheduling, and inventory control processes.

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. APICS (CPIM) certification preferred. 1–3 years of experience in production planning or scheduling in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems; SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials (BOMs).

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative mindset.
• Proactive problem‑solver with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of lean manufacturing and inventory control principles.