Production Planner

Who You Are

As a Planner, you are the central point of coordination for a specific product line, ensuring seamless planning, material flow, and documentation. You are resourceful, adaptable, and capable of juggling multiple responsibilities-from configuration management to expediting materials. You demonstrate Versatility in balancing collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and production teams while maintaining Ownership of product line performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Level 2 – Planner I

Material & Scheduling Coordination

• Support daily coordination of materials, scheduling, and planning for the assigned product line.
• Work closely with Buyers, Logistics, and Production to ensure raw materials and components arrive on time.
• Update ERP systems with real-time status of parts, orders, and product configurations.

Configuration & Documentation

• Assist in maintaining accurate product documentation, including Bill of Materials (BOM) and routing changes.
• Track and expedite orders, following up on procurement lead times and delivery schedules.
• Learn product structure, assemblies, and sub-assemblies to better facilitate communication among departments.

Collaboration & Problem-Solving

• Communicate potential shortages or delays to cross-functional teams and help identify short-term solutions.
• Work under guidance from senior specialists or managers to understand and resolve product line bottlenecks.
• Collect and organize data for basic reporting on product line metrics (e.g., on-time delivery, quality).

Level 3 – Planner II

Primary Material & Planning Contact

• Act as the key liaison for materials and scheduling within the assigned product line.
• Collaborate with Buyers, Warehouse, and Production Supervisors to ensure aligned planning and timely availability of materials.
• Proactively identify potential shortages or capacity constraints and implement corrective actions.

Change Management & Configuration Control

• Oversee product updates, engineering changes, and configuration management efforts.
• Update BOMs, routings, and work instructions based on ECNs (Engineering Change Notices) or new product introductions.
• Ensure all stakeholders (Supply Chain, Production, Quality) are informed of changes and their effective dates.

Forecasting & Data Analysis

• Review historical usage, lead times, and production forecasts to anticipate material demands.
• Monitor product line KPIs (e.g., lead time, inventory turns, on-time delivery) to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Provide recommendations for safety stock or inventory buffers to maintain optimal flow.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Communicate product line needs and updates with Engineering, Quality, and Logistics teams to ensure smooth transitions for new or revised products.
• Guide and mentor Product Line Specialist I personnel, sharing best practices in ERP usage and scheduling.

Level 4 – Senior Planner

Product Line Strategy & Optimization

• Lead cross-functional coordination to optimize the product line's efficiency, balancing production capacity, inventory levels, and lead times.
• Develop and implement best practices for planning and scheduling, including advanced planning systems or methodologies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and lower costs.

High-Level Configuration & Change Management

• Manage complex product changes, ensuring alignment with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production at a strategic level.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to roll out new products, expansions, or product line transitions smoothly and on time.
• Evaluate the impact of product changes on capacity, scheduling, and budget.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Train and mentor junior and mid-level Product Line Specialists, establishing guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee department-level projects that enhance the product line's performance or integrate with broader company objectives.
• Represent the product line in meetings with executives or external stakeholders (e.g., key suppliers, major customers).

Data-Driven Decision-Making

• Conduct in-depth analyses on production metrics, material usage, and inventory data to support strategic decision-making.
• Present findings and recommendations to cross-functional leadership, backing proposals with quantitative insights.

COMPETENCIES

• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to interpret data (usage trends, capacity plans) and resolve supply or scheduling bottlenecks.
• ERP & Configuration Management: Proficiency in systems tracking BOMs, routings, and inventory transactions.
• Collaboration: Works seamlessly with Production, Supply Chain, and Engineering to align on product line goals and changes.
• Communication & Adaptability: Effectively adjusts communication style for multiple departments and quickly responds to shifting priorities.
• Core Values: Exhibits Trust in team collaboration, Grit in resolving complex scheduling/materials issues, and Discipline in accurate planning.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Level 2: Works under direct guidance, focusing on foundational product line tasks; no formal leadership duties.
• Level 3: Manages certain aspects of product line coordination and mentors junior specialists.
• Level 4: Oversees cross-functional or department-level initiatives, may supervise multiple product line specialists, and reports on higher-level metrics to leadership.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office & Production Floor: Split time between desk/administrative tasks (planning, data entry, scheduling) and on-floor activities (monitoring assembly progress, coordinating with teams).
• Exposure to moderate noise, moving machinery, and potential safety hazards in the production areas-PPE may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent computer usage for scheduling and data analysis.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs.) for handling small parts or documentation.
• Walking between different production areas.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• Full-time, in-person position.
• Standard schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; overtime may be required to meet deadlines.

TRAVEL

• Minimal; some visits to suppliers or attendance at trade shows may be required for Level 3 roles.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Experience:
• Level 2: 1–3 years in scheduling, planning, or supply chain support.
• Level 2: 4–6 years of material planning or coordination experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Level 4: 7+ years, including leadership of cross-functional teams and advanced project management.
• Computer Skills:
• ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).