Production Planner

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Production Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and coordinating production schedules to support customer delivery requirements and efficient production operations. This position works closely with the Production Control Manager, production departments, and customers to monitor order progress, identify potential delays, and communicate production status.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, maintain, and update production schedules based on customer requirements, production capacity, and material availability.
• Monitor production progress and identify potential scheduling conflicts, material shortages, or delays. Communicate concerns to the Production Control Manager and appropriate departments to assist in resolving issues.
• Review customer orders, inventory information, and production requirements to support accurate scheduling and timely completion of orders.
• Coordinate with department supervisors to monitor production status, verify part availability, and obtain updates on scheduled work.
• Walk the production floor as needed to verify part status, monitor production progress, and follow up on customer inquiries.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate potential shortages or concerns that may impact production schedules.
• Maintain accurate production schedules, customer order information, inventory information, and purchase order status within company systems.
• Communicate with customers via telephone, email, or in person regarding production status, order progress, and anticipated completion dates.
• Respond to customer inquiries related to production status and scheduling, referring quality concerns, complaints, or other issues to the appropriate department.
• Provide regular production status updates to the Production Control Manager and communicate schedule changes or potential delivery delays to appropriate internal departments.
• Work collaboratively with production, customer service, sales, and other departments to support customer requirements and production priorities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including active listening.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with production personnel, supervisors, management, and customers.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office, with the ability to learn production scheduling and inventory management software.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, aluminum casting processes.
• Ability to adapt to changing production schedules and customer requirements.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from a two-year or four-year college or technical school is preferred.
• Training in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, inventory management, or production scheduling software is a plus.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience in production planning, scheduling, manufacturing, or customer service preferred (at least one year)