Senior 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. 

G&H offers exciting and rewarding opportunities for motivated and talented people to join a team of like-minded, highly skilled colleagues who want to grow and succeed with our company. 

Hiring talent to complement and grow our current teams’ skills and capabilities is a strategic priority to enable our plans for growth. 

Our seven business locations in the United States and four UK-based businesses employ across a broad range of functions including engineering and process, manufacturing, product management, supply chain and customer services, quality assurance, continuous improvement, compliance and finance. 

THE ROLE

We are seeking a Sr. Production Planner to partner closely with Operations to build and maintain a realistic, executable production plan that supports customer delivery, improves throughput, and stabilizes day-to-day operations for a high mix/ low volume product environment with MOQ assessments and policy setting. 

This role is responsible for translating demand into actionable production schedules, aligning with manufacturing capacity and material availability, and ensuring clear visibility to priorities across the shop floor. 

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where planning discipline is being strengthened and built. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Planning & Scheduling 

Analyze production schedules and sales orders to determine material requirements, aligned to demand and capacity.  

Sequence work orders to optimize throughput, minimize bottlenecks, and support on-time delivery.  

Continuously adjust plans based on changing priorities, constraints, and shop floor realities.  

Operations Partnership 

Partner closely with manufacturing leaders, supervisors, and floor teams to ensure schedules are understood, realistic, and executed.  

Participate in daily production meetings, providing clear visibility to priorities, risks, and changes.  

Drive alignment between planning and execution, ensuring accountability to the production plan.  

Material & Capacity Coordination 

Collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement to ensure material availability aligns with production schedules.  

Identify constraints related to labor, equipment, or materials and escalate risks proactively.  

Support capacity planning by providing input on workload, constraints, and resource requirements.  

Work Order Management 

Release, track, and manage work orders within the ERP system.  

Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) to ensure flow through the manufacturing process.  

Ensure accurate data entry and system updates to maintain planning integrity.  

INVENTORY CONTROL

Maintain optimal stock levels to balance cost-efficiency with production needs, avoiding excess inventory. 

SUPPLY CHAIN COORDINATION

Initiate and track purchase orders (POs) and maintain supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery. 

Data Management:?Maintain accuracy of BOMs (Bill of Materials) and ERP systems. 

Cross-Functional Teamwork:?Collaborate with manufacturing, logistics, and procurement to resolve shortages and scheduling changes 

PERFORMANCE MONITORING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Track key planning and production metrics, including schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and cycle time.  

Identify gaps between plan and actual performance and drive corrective actions with Operations.  

Support initiatives to improve planning processes, scheduling accuracy, and production flow.  

Communication & Visibility 

Provide clear, consistent communication on production priorities, schedule changes, and risks.  

Maintain planning boards, reports, or dashboards to ensure visibility across teams.  

Act as a central coordination point between Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer-facing teams.  

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Schedule Adherence / Plan Attainment  

On-Time Delivery (OTD)  

Work Order Cycle Time / Throughput  

Backlog Management & Prioritization Accuracy  

WIP Levels and Flow Efficiency  

Production Downtime Related to Planning Gaps  

Inventory Turns 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).  

10+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations.  

Experience in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing preferred (optics, aerospace, medical, or similar).  

Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).  

Strong understanding of production processes, capacity constraints, and material flow.  

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a dynamic environment.  

Detail-oriented with high level of accuracy in planning and data management.  

Ability to translate demand into clear, executable production plans.  

Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.  

Effective communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.  

Comfortable working on the shop floor and engaging directly with operations teams.  

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Hands-on and action-oriented; willing to engage directly with the business.  

Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment.  

Strong sense of ownership and accountability.  

Collaborative, with the ability to build trust across teams.  

Calm under pressure and able to manage competing priorities. 

ADDITIONAL 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.