Master Planner

Harken, Inc., is committed to manufacturing in the United States using the most up- to-date CNC manufacturing equipment, techniques and processes to produce the highest quality components and assemblies.

TITLE: Master Planner

REPORTS TO: Plant Manager

BASED AT: Harken, Inc., Pewaukee, WI

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Utilizing industry best practices, the Master Planner is responsible for developing, executing, and monitoring production plans that align with customer demand, optimizing resource utilization, and support Harken’s commitment to high-quality manufacturing. This role requires strategic collaboration across production, supply chain, and sales teams to translate demand forecasts into actionable production schedules. The incumbent will manage capacity planning, inventory levels, and supplier coordination to ensure timely delivery and efficient operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the technical aspects of scheduling materials, manpower and machines for production operations.
• Develops the master schedule, using information gathered from multiple sources, to drive daily and weekly production schedules for the shop floor.
• Works under management guidance and has total project responsibility for capacity, planning, and other projects requiring advanced analysis.
• Schedule demand based on product mix requirements; provides accurate lead times to internal and external customers.
• Manage load levelling and bottlenecks in coordination with shop floor supervisors.
• Establish, measure, monitor and adjust capacity levels to execute all manufacturing schedules.
• Determine available capacity before planned orders are released.
• Collaborates with other departments to periodically compare current and anticipated orders with available inventory of raw materials; uses judgment to anticipate demand for and communicate additional needs of said current and anticipated orders.
• Plans/recommends changes in capacity to hit target levels.
• Sets up and maintains work center and work groups in ERP system (D365).
• Work with floor supervisors to set priorities and establish production workflow schedules
• Champion continuous improvement efforts on the shop floor to reduce logistical waste, improve lead times and on time delivery.
• Improve systems for the tracking of products on the shop floor and at outside vendors.
• Undertake extensive research and development initiatives to reduce inventory and improve on-time delivery to customers. Adjust order policies to respond to changing demand levels.
• Develop the “available to promise capability” inside the ERP system and maintain routing information for proper scheduling.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in production planning and scheduling.
• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) preferred.
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems; proficiency in Microsoft D365 preferred.
• Ability to adapt to frequent changes in production priorities
• Strategic thinker, strong analytical skills, able to synthesize considerable and complex data.
• Team player able to interact in a positive, constructive manner with staff members on all levels
• within the company
• Ability to use standard office equipment
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs; high level proficiency in utilizing Excel to solve problems and analyze data is preferred.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, feel or handle objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and the ability to focus

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, responsibilities, duties or skills required.