Sr. Production Planner

Our client is looking for a Production Planner who will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing production plans and schedules that optimize customer service, inventory levels, production efficiency, and resource utilization. This role works closely with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, Engineering, and Sales to ensure production capacity, material availability, and customer demand are aligned. The Production Planner must possess hands-on experience utilizing SAP to support production planning, scheduling, and inventory management activities.

This role proactively identifies scheduling risks, material shortages, and capacity constraints while driving continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and on-time delivery performance. This position reports to the Production Planning Manager.

New Brighton, MN

* local candidate only

80-98K-DOQ

• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• (HSA)
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Critical Illness
• PTO
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Basic Life and AD&D
• Accident Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Scholarships

• Develop and maintain production plans and schedules for assigned product lines and manufacturing operations.
• Create short- and mid-range production schedules based on customer demand, inventory targets, available capacity, and operational priorities.
• Coordinate production workflow to maximize labor, equipment, and material utilization.
• Monitor daily production activity and adjust schedules as needed to support changing priorities and customer requirements.
• Partner with Production, Procurement, Customer Service, Engineering, and Sales to ensure alignment on production priorities and delivery commitments.
• Analyze demand, production, inventory, and capacity data to identify trends, risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Proactively resolve scheduling conflicts, material shortages, and supply chain disruptions to minimize operational impact.
• Collaborate with Procurement and suppliers to address material constraints affecting production schedules.
• Maintain planning parameters, production schedules, and system data within SAP.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators, including on-time delivery, schedule attainment, inventory levels, and capacity utilization.
• Participate in planning and production meetings to communicate priorities, risks, and schedule updates.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning processes, inventory optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost reduction.
• Ensure compliance with all quality, safety, environmental, and company policies and procedures.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5+ years of production planning experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• SAP experience required.
• Experience utilizing ERP and MRP systems to support production planning and inventory management.
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory control, and supply chain processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify risks, anticipate challenges, and implement proactive solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience supporting process optimization initiatives.
• APICS CPIM certification, Lean Manufacturing experience, or other supply chain/planning certifications preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple product lines and complex manufacturing operations preferred.