What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Planner position at GWS Tool Group?
Job Title: Production Planner
Department: Production
Reports to: Managing Director
Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: Hartland, WI
Travel: None
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
Department: Production
Reports to: Managing Director
Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: Hartland, WI
Travel: None
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.