Job Summary
The Production Planner is responsible for developing, managing, and optimizing production schedules to ensure on-time delivery, efficient use of resources, and alignment with customer demand. This role serves as a critical link between sales, procurement, operations, and the shop floor — translating demand signals into executable production plans while balancing capacity constraints, material availability, and cost efficiency.
Essential Functions
Production Scheduling & Planning
• Develop, maintain, and publish master production schedules (MPS) aligned with customer orders, forecasts, and capacity.
• Translate sales orders and demand forecasts into detailed work orders and shop floor release schedules.
• Sequence and prioritize production runs to minimize changeover time, reduce WIP, and optimize throughput.
• Adjust schedules in real time to respond to machine downtime, material shortages, labor constraints, or demand changes.
Materials & Inventory Coordination
• Collaborate with procurement to ensure raw materials, components, and packaging are available when needed.
• Monitor material requirements planning (MRP) outputs and resolve exceptions, shortages, and excess inventory situations.
• Track and manage finished goods inventory levels against targets and replenishment triggers.
Cross-Functional Coordination
• Participate in daily/weekly S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) meetings and provide planning inputs.
• Communicate schedule changes, delays, and constraints to customer service, sales, and operations leadership.
• Partner with engineering and quality teams to incorporate new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes into the schedule.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Track and report KPIs including schedule adherence, on-time delivery (OTD), and production efficiency.
• Identify bottlenecks and recommend capacity adjustments, including overtime, outsourcing, or equipment investment.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives targeting waste reduction and lead time compression.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and make sound scheduling decisions.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with advanced planning tools or scheduling software a plus.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, production flows, capacity planning, and inventory management principles.
• Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex planning data for cross-functional audiences.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities under time pressure.
• APICS CPIM certification is a strong asset.
Preferred Skills
Education and Experience Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of production planning, scheduling, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, SYSPRO, Visual, or similar) required.
Core Competencies
• Achievement Focus
Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; recognizes and acts on opportunities; sets and achieves challenging goals; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Business Ethics
Inspires the trust of others; keeps commitments; treats people with respect; upholds organizational values; works with integrity and ethically.
• Conflict Resolution
Confronts difficult situations; encourages open communications; keeps emotions under control; maintains objectivity; uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.
• Dependability
Commits to doing the best job possible; follows instructions and responds to management direction; keeps commitments; meets attendance and punctuality guidelines; responds to requests for service and assistance; takes responsibility for own actions.
• Job Knowledge
Competent in required job skills and knowledge; displays understanding of how job relates to others; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; uses resources effectively.
• Judgment
Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; includes appropriate people in decision making process; makes timely decisions; supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
• Managing Customer Focus
Develops new approaches to meeting customer needs; establishes customer service standards; monitors customer satisfaction; promotes customer focus; provides training in customer service delivery.
• Quality
Applies feedback to improve performance; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; displays commitment to excellence; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety & Security
Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Teamwork
Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team spirit; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; puts success of team above own interests.
Physical Demands
Work Environment
This position operates in both office and manufacturing plant environments. The Production Planner may be required to spend time on the shop floor to assess production status, interact with operators, and troubleshoot scheduling issues. Standard business hours apply with flexibility required during peak periods.
EEO Statement
The client company and Insperity provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all company facilities without regard to race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.