Production Planner

This Planner is responsible for developing and implementing an orderly flow of material and value-added assemblies throughout the manufacturing process, utilizing best practices as it relates to a particular product’s process. The position is also responsible for some aspects of outside services. The overall result will be successful coordination among plant disciplines to achieve the ultimate goal of Customer satisfaction as it relates to delivery of quality products, on time to their request.

About Our Company

ElectroCraft, Inc. provides application-engineered specialty fractional-horsepower motor and motion control products. Under the hood, Electrocraft motion systems power critical components of some of the world's most innovative products in medical equipment, robotics, industrial automation, agriculture, and lab equipment. Some of our innovative products include DC motors, gear motors, linear actuators, and motor drives. With facilities and customers around the globe, ElectroCraft provides advanced precision solutions with the highest reliability and lowest total cost of ownership, which is why it is trusted by both the largest brands and the newest cutting-edge companies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Functional

• Determine planner codes, lead-times, and units of measure, and maintain in system. Information must be accurate and up to date for system to drive appropriate material and build requirements.
• Plan production order releases to customer request dates where system driven requirements do not exist. Where there is a material shortage or capacity problem, planner will coordinate through Purchasing, Value Stream Leader, Quality, or other functions, resolution of the issue, or develop alternate plan. End result is to achieve master schedule through coordination of internal resources, and communicate to all functions, particularly Inside Sales, any deviation from the known or requested plan.
• Set up outside services as needed to maintain production flow.
• Work closely with team-leader, purchasing, value stream leader and manufacturing associates to schedule and flow work through the manufacturing areas using manufacturing techniques such as kanban, MRP, standard work instructions, etc.
• Position will assist the Value Stream Leader by analyzing and coordinating Engineering change orders among cross functional groups where effectivity dates or “must conforms” exist, implementing the appropriate system transactions. Will maximize inventory dollars and schedules to mesh with Customer’s requirements.
• Make recommendations regarding defective purchased materials, as to whether they should be returned to supplier, sorted or reworked in house, and/or research through Engineering whether alternate materials can be used. Again, the desired result is to meet Master and Customer schedule requirements.
• Analyze and track plant performance metrics, as directed by the Value Stream Leader, or Plant Mgr., making recommendations for improvement. They may include delinquency per manufacturing area, reasons for missed shipments, inventory levels and Customer kanban status.
• Work with Value Stream Leader to determine headcount requirements or to assist in overtime decisions, as this position’s visibility to forward schedules, bottlenecks and customer kanban requirements is greater than that of any other disciplines.
• Lead activities of cross functional teams to determine and then to implement processes that enhance the flow of materials (outside normal MRP) as supported by the CIP or Lean philosophy. Examples include kanban with suppliers, and with customers. Can include other methods such as polca, point of use stocking, etc. End result is meeting the financial objectives of the facility and improving Customer’s position.
• Works when expected and contributes best efforts towards the timely completion of work assignments.

Leadership

• Apply skills in assisting plant personnel in improving transaction accuracy and removing roadblocks hindering the completion of work orders.
• Focus on achieving goals and objectives of the department and business unit and develop metrics that indicates level of achievement.

Interpersonal

• Act as a liaison for materials management between business unit product managers and product supply sources to set the material plan and address and resolve problems. Issue status reports regarding forecast, master schedule, supply availability, inventory and material effectiveness.
• Actively participate in process improvement efforts, project team initiatives, decision making and problem solving to achieve expected business performance, annual inventory reduction and customer service performance targets
• Works positively with team members in order to continuously improve the business.

Business

• Provide product supply and inventory planning support for new product development programs, product redesigns, product source change activity, series changes and product discontinuance to minimize excess and obsolete inventory. Key focus areas include: available for Shipment (AFS) targets, manufacturing system forecast/build requirements, material availability resolution, safety stock plans, customer service and cost reduction objectives.
• Ensures thorough familiarity with company policies and procedures. Appropriately applies policies and procedures in compliance with government laws. Policies and procedures include, but not limited to: Standards of Business Conduct, Intellectual Property, Control Environment, Information Protection, ISO 9000 & 14000, government regulations (e.g. health, safety, quality and environmental), and functional policies established by ElectroCraft.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Reasonable accommodations to essential functions of the job will be made if necessary.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Typically requires a B.A. or B.S. degree. Equivalent experience will be considered.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• 2 to 5 years of related background in a manufacturing environment.
• Management and a working knowledge of computer-based manufacturing systems. This position requires a person that has demonstrated good organizational and communication skills, with the ability to interface with a variety of management levels and functions. APICS certification desirable. Must be proficient in Microsoft applications. AX experience preferred.