Position Summary
The Planner/Scheduler is responsible for leading the production planning and developing effective schedules. With this understanding the planner/scheduler will implement solutions to consistently improve the production plan. To be successful in this role you must be highly analytical with in-depth knowledge of the planning process. In addition, strong communication and stakeholder engagement are essential, which includes the ability to effectively partner and collaborate with leaders in sales/marketing, operations, finance, quality, and supply chain among other areas of the business.
The Production Planner/Scheduler is an essential member of the Operations team. Timely planning and scheduling of manufacturing work orders to the manufacturing floor is essential to achieve both internal financial goals and customer delivery dates. This position plans, schedules, coordinates and/or monitors the flow of work through the complete production cycle. This position will report to the Vice President of Operations.
Job Duties/Responsibilities
- Plan, issue, and control material demand to meet production scheduling requirements.
- Delivery of parts to expedite flow of material to meet production schedule.
- Notify stakeholders of any scheduled impacts to our Customer.
- Coordinate/expedite manufacturing order to ensure schedules are achieved.
- Works to ensure on-time delivery of products.
- Complete status reports, such as production progress, customer information and material inventory.
- Exercise judgement within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
- Perform other duties as required.
- Communicate with manufacturing leaders and adjust the production schedule when necessary.
- Monitors daily capacity and production progress to manage adjustments within production planning.
- Generate and publish monthly and weekly demand forecasts to key stakeholders, including clear identification of assumptions highlighting significant changes since the release of the previous report.
- Develops and implements production control monitoring tools and capacity analysis tools.
- Determines and communicates lead time to all appropriate personnel.
- Manages the production plan to optimize both customer satisfaction and shop floor productivity.
- Establish in coordination with the production teams the capacity plan and forecast for review during the intercompany planning meetings.
- Prepare master schedules based on inputs from sales force, customers and sales history that will meet expected demand levels and conform to available capacity and manpower.v
- Identify capacity constraints to appropriate staff members.
- Ensures that customer backlog is analyzed for part groupings and balances against delivery requirements.
- Provides output analysis of key performance indicators.
- Interact with all levels of employees including but not limited to shop floor, Supervisors, Sales & Marketing Team, Managers, Supply Chain, Product Development, Customers, and Purchasing on a regular basis.
- Oversee day-to-day activity of direct reports.
- Develop relevant performance metrics, monitor performance, and issue monthly reports.
- Communicate adjustments in demand to the organization and ensure appropriate level of urgency is recognized.
- Works to resolve customer delivery problems and challenges to meet delivery deadlines.
- Participates in planning meetings with Marketing team and internal personnel; leads additional planning meetings in conjunction with operations team.v
- Subscribes to and participates in any assigned Process Improvement Projects.
- Produces reports related to production schedules and plant performance, as required.
- On Time customer shipments tracking.
- Meet or exceed monthly shipping revenue dollars.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must possess understanding of workflows and Bill of Materials.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional time management skills desired.
- Proficient with production planning systems/ ERP systems, and Microsoft Office.
- Responds to shifting priorities in a cooperative manner.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes is a plus.
Education and Experience:
- B.S. Degree in Business, supply chain, or operations management strongly preferred.
- 5 – 7 years previous experience as a scheduler/demand planner or master scheduler in a manufacturing company.
- Master Production Scheduler Background with experience in discrete manufacturing companies.
- Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, including maintaining highly confidential information.
- Self-motivated, driven, flexible and adaptable to complete assigned tasks.
- Strong computer skills and knowledge of processing & software programs.
- Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally verbally and in writing.
- Strong people management skills / experience providing training to planners is helpful.
- Highly organized, detail oriented and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Professional certification by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to walk on the Manufacturing floor and comply with all Safety requirements.
- Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at times.