What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Planner position at OPW Global?
The Production Planner plays a critical role in aligning customer demand with manufacturing capacity to ensure the efficient flow of materials and production across operations. This highly visible position partners closely with Sales, Production, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to develop and execute production schedules that support customer delivery commitments while optimizing inventory levels and manufacturing resources. The Production Planner is responsible for short- and mid-term production planning, schedule execution, inventory planning, and material readiness. This role monitors production performance, identifies constraints, and drives schedule recovery actions to improve on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
What You’ll Do
What You’ll Do
- Develop, maintain, and execute production schedules that balance customer demand, inventory levels, production capacity, and available materials.
- Create detailed weekly and daily production plans for assigned manufacturing value streams.
- Monitor schedule attainment and production performance, identifying risks and implementing recovery plans to maintain customer delivery commitments.
- Prioritize and sequence manufacturing orders to optimize production flow and maximize on-time delivery.
- Verify material availability to support production schedules and proactively identify potential shortages or constraints.
- Collaborate with Purchasing, Production, Engineering, Customer Service, and Operations to resolve material, capacity, and scheduling issues.
- Manage MRP planning messages and ensure production priorities accurately reflect current business requirements.
- Establish and maintain appropriate inventory levels, including safety stock and work-in-process inventory, to support service level objectives while minimizing excess inventory.
- Analyze forecast changes, demand variability, production capacity, and inventory trends to recommend schedule adjustments.
- Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and product phase-in/phase-out activities through effective production planning.
- Monitor inventory accuracy and work order integrity to support effective production execution.
- Analyze production and planning performance metrics and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency, schedule adherence, and inventory performance.
- Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to production planning, inventory management, and supply chain processes.
- Serve as the primary planning representative on cross-functional Value Stream Teams.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Five (5) or more years of experience in production planning, scheduling, inventory planning, or supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems, production planning principles, inventory control, and capacity planning.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze data and make informed planning decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret demand signals, evaluate capacity constraints, and develop effective production schedules.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple functional areas.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or CLTD).
- Experience with Infor MAPICS or similar ERP systems.
- Experience planning in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of Theory of Constraints (TOC), Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), or demand planning processes.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.