Production Planner

Description

ABOUT US

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.

Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years.

ROLE

The Production Planner is responsible for determining “the what and the when,” coordinating materials, labor and equipment, and producing a production schedule that satisfies both customer needs and company targets. This role will work with the Director of Operations and other members of Management to develop and manage a production schedule in a high mix, low volume precision manufacturing environment, all while considering material availability and plant capacity, with the goal of level loading the facility. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules that balance customer commitments, material availability, labor capacity, and equipment constraints.
• Translate customer demand, forecasts, and sales orders into executable manufacturing plans and work order priorities.
• Monitor schedule performance, manufacturing backlog, and on-time delivery metrics, adjusting priorities and recovery plans as required.
• Coordinate with Operations, Customer Service, and Management to communicate schedule risks, production constraints, and delivery commitments.

Material, Capacity & ERP Management

• Ensure materials, components, and production documentation are available to support planned manufacturing activities.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to resolve shortages, expedite critical materials, and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Evaluate labor, equipment, and facility capacity against demand requirements and identify bottlenecks that may impact delivery performance.
• Maintain accurate planning data within the ERP/MRP system, including lead times, inventory transactions, planning parameters, BOMs, and routings.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Track work order progress from release through completion and ensure timely closure of manufacturing orders.
• Support quality, inspection, rework, and corrective action activities to minimize disruption to production schedules.
• Develop and maintain planning reports, dashboards, and operational metrics that improve visibility and decision-making.
• Identify and implement improvements that enhance schedule attainment, production flow, lead time, inventory management, and overall operational performance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

- 3-7 years’ experience in production scheduling

- Knowledge and experience with ERP/MRP systems (SYSPRO)

- Inventory management

- BOM and Routing management

- Capacity planning

- Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Excel

- Strong organizational skills

- Attention to detail

- Excellent communication skills

- Cross-functional collaboration

- Ability to prioritize

- Ability to flourish in high-pressure environment

NOTES  

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.

The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates. 

In the instance that the position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations ("U.S. Export Control Laws"), including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within G&H that may present access to export-controlled technical data, G&H must assess whether candidates are "U.S. persons" as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R. § 120.15). Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this position.