Production Planner

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Production Planner to optimize our manufacturing operations. This role is critical in creating and maintaining efficient production schedules, ensuring seamless coordination across our Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Manufacturing teams. You will be responsible for capacity planning, setting lead times, and driving our daily schedule updates to maintain a smooth and effective production flow.

Key Responsibilities

• 
  Develop and manage comprehensive production schedules that balance capacity, lead times, and delivery commitments.
• Coordinate material requirements and ensure the timely availability of components and raw materials to support the production plan.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication, proactively informing teams of schedule changes and updates
• Utilize ERP systems (such as Oracle, Epicor) for work order management, capacity planning, and scheduling.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement and workflow optimization, leveraging Lean principles.
• Analyze production data, prepare status and performance reports, and communicate key insights to management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to achieving overarching company goals.
• Champion Astec’s core values and promote a safety-first culture.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, or an Associate's degree with 2 years of relevant experience, or 8 years of experience as a production planner or master scheduler in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (experience with Oracle, Epicor or similar preferred), strong computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Power BI.
• Proven ability to create and maintain production schedules, plan work orders, set capacities, and manage lead times.
• Strong analytical abilities to interpret data, identify potential issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all departments.
• A commitment to continuous learning, process improvement, and embracing change, including the planned introduction of Visual ERP scheduling.

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

None

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers.
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success.

NOTE: This position responsible for certain internal control responsibilities. These internal control responsibilities are verbally communicated to the incumbent and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.