Production Planning Manager

Location: SW PDX

Pay: Starting at $70-80k DOE

Schedule: Full Time | Temporary to Permanent

Part strategist, part problem solver, and part team builder, this role is entirely focused on keeping a manufacturing plant moving in the right direction!

The Production Planning Manager will provide strategic and daily leadership for the production planning function. This person will oversee Schedulers, Production Expeditors, Order Entry Clerks, and Document Control while translating demand, capacity, and inventory data into an accurate production plan the manufacturing floor can successfully execute.

A major priority for this role will be bringing these functions together as one strong Planning team with shared goals, consistent processes, clear communication, and accountability.

Important to Know: This is a true production planning leadership role. Proven, hands on manufacturing planning experience and proven managerial experience are both required. We are looking for a manufacturing rock star who understands the ins and outs of how an entire plant flows, anticipates problems before they reach the production floor, and knows how to lead a team through changing priorities. A minimum of five years of hands on planning experience is required.

This position will begin on a temporary to permanent basis only.

Who We Are

Our client is an established ISO certified manufacturer that produces components, systems, and service related products within a low volume manufacturing environment.

They are looking for a strong leader who can improve how the Planning department operates, break down silos, strengthen communication between departments, and create a more efficient and responsive production planning process.

If you enjoy building strong teams, solving complex manufacturing challenges, and turning a mountain of information into a clear plan, this could be a great fit!

What You’ll Do

As the Production Planning Manager, you will lead the people, processes, and tools responsible for keeping production aligned with customer demand, available materials, inventory, and plant capacity.

You’ll:

• Manage the daily workflow of Schedulers, Production Expeditors, Order Entry Clerks, and Document Control
• Ensure production plans remain aligned with demand forecasts, inventory levels, material availability, and capacity
• Bring Scheduling, Expediting, Order Entry, and Document Control together as one cohesive Planning team
• Set clear goals, priorities, expectations, and accountability standards for the department
• Provide direction, coaching, hands on training, performance reviews, and corrective action when needed
• Lead daily Planning huddles to review forecasts, resolve issues, and align demand and supply priorities
• Build team capability through cross training, development, and succession planning
• Develop rolling demand forecasts across multiple timeframes to guide purchasing and manufacturing requirements
• Create a two to three week look ahead forecast that identifies labor and capacity shortages before they impact production
• Evaluate material and capacity feasibility for critical requests for proposal and requests for quote
• Review open orders against material availability and communicate with Purchasing when timing does not align with production needs
• Monitor customer project plans against actual results to improve work in process control and prevent overproduction
• Monitor and manage the customer consignment program
• Review department workflows and operating sequences to identify and implement process improvements
• Build and expand planning tools that improve efficiency, output, and responsiveness
• Develop, maintain, and analyze department performance metrics and budgets
• Prepare and present key planning and production reports to leadership
• Manage communication between Project Managers and Production to help meet customer expectations
  
  

What’s In It for You

• Starting salary of $70-80K DOE
• High impact leadership role overseeing several critical planning functions
• Opportunity to build a stronger and more unified Planning department
• Ability to improve processes, introduce better tools, and help shape how the department operates
• Visible role that directly influences materials, capacity, production, and customer commitments
• Professional environment within an established ISO certified manufacturer
• Opportunity to develop employees, strengthen the team, and build long term department success
• Fast paced role where your experience and decisions will make an immediate difference
  
  

What You Need to Have

• Minimum of five years of proven, hands on production planning experience within a manufacturing environment
• Actual planning experience is required. General manufacturing or operations experience alone will not be enough
• Proven managerial experience with at least two years leading a planning, scheduling, or expediting team
• Strong understanding of how a manufacturing plant flows from order entry and materials through scheduling, production, work in process, and delivery
• Experience developing demand forecasts and production plans across multiple timeframes
• Strong knowledge of capacity planning, material availability, inventory, production scheduling, and work in process control
• Experience helping develop manufacturing instructions, routings, and process instructions
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, implement, operate, and train employees on an ERP or MRP system
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles within a low volume manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and hold employees accountable
• Ability to build productive relationships across Production, Purchasing, Project Management, and other departments
• Strong process improvement, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, project management, and follow through
• Ability to manage deadlines, changing priorities, ambiguity, and pressure
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• An associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred, although additional relevant experience may be considered in place of a degree
• Collaborative and team focused leadership style
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment where noise and plastic chips may be present
• Ability to follow all company safety practices and procedures
  
  

Next Steps Please respond with an updated resume and/or call Lauren at 971-246-8423 or Amber at 971-917-5808!