Production Planner

 
Job Summary: The Production Planner will perform and ensure manufacturing planning and quality Insurance of manufacturing specifications to meet shipping dates according to sales forecasts or customer orders.   

 
Supervisory Responsibilities 

• None 

Production Planning & Scheduling 

• Develop, maintain, and execute daily and weekly production schedules aligned with customer demand and capacity 

• Balance production loads across work centers to optimize throughput and minimize bottlenecks 

• Release and prioritize work orders based on demand, material availability, and capacity constraints 

Backlog & Order Management 

• Manage production backlog to support on-time delivery and lead-time commitments 

• Coordinate closely with sales, customer service, and supply chain to address order changes and priority shifts 

• Proactively identify risks to delivery commitments and recommend corrective actions 

Cross-Functional Coordination 

• Serve as the primary liaison between production, purchasing, inventory, and logistics 

• Communicate schedule changes, constraints, and priorities to shop floor leadership 

• Support escalation and resolution of production issues impacting customer deliveries 

System & Data Management 

• Maintain accurate production data within the ERP systems (work orders, routings, schedules) 

• Monitor key operational KPIs including OTD, schedule adherence, WIP, and backlog 

• Support continuous improvement through data-driven analysis and reporting 

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify opportunities to improve scheduling effectiveness, flow, and lead times 

• Support standard work development and documentation related to production control processes 

• Participate in operational reviews and improvement initiatives 

 
Education and Experience: 

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associates or Bachelor's degree in related area preferred. 

• At least two years of experience in related disciplines including design drafting, production planning, or assembly work, required. 

 
Required Skills/Abilities:  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills. 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. 

• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate. 

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints to draft clear and detailed manufacturing procedures. 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to frequently twist, turn, reach over shoulders, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, walk.  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.