Job Summary
The Senior Production Planner serves as a subject matter expert and operational leader within the planning function. This role is responsible for managing complex, high-volume, or multi-site production schedules; leading capacity and scenario planning; and driving continuous improvement across planning processes. The Senior Production Planner mentors junior planners, represents the planning function in cross-functional leadership forums, and plays a key role in S&OP execution and supply chain strategy.
This position requires a deep understanding of manufacturing operations, ERP/MRP systems, and demand-supply dynamics — as well as the leadership presence to influence stakeholders and champion process excellence.
Essential Functions
Advanced Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning
- Own and manage the master production schedule (MPS) for complex or high-SKU manufacturing environments, including multi-line or multi-site coordination.
- Conduct detailed capacity analysis — identifying constraints, modeling scenarios, and recommending corrective actions (overtime, outsourcing, capital investment).
- Lead rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP) activities and translate output into actionable scheduling decisions.
- Proactively identify scheduling risks and develop contingency plans to protect customer commitments.
S&OP Leadership & Demand Integration
- Serve as the planning function’s representative in S&OP and executive demand review meetings; prepare and present planning data and recommendations.
- Integrate demand signals from sales, marketing, and customer service into consensus-driven production plans.
- Evaluate the impact of demand changes, new product launches, and promotions on production capacity and material requirements.
Materials & Supply Chain Coordination
- Manage complex MRP exceptions including shortages, excess inventory, and long-lead-time materials requiring escalation.
- Partner with procurement on supplier performance issues that affect production continuity; provide input to supplier capacity discussions.
- Lead inventory optimization initiatives targeting reductions in safety stock, WIP, and finished goods without compromising service levels.
Team Development
- Serve as escalation point for scheduling conflicts and exceptions.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and planning best practices documentation.
Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Serve as a power user and internal resource for ERP/MRP systems; lead or support system upgrades, configuration changes, and data integrity initiatives.
- Design and maintain planning dashboards and KPI reports covering schedule adherence, OTD, inventory turns, and capacity utilization.
- Identify and lead process improvement projects targeting lead time reduction, schedule stability, and planning efficiency.
- Support lean manufacturing, SIOP, and supply chain transformation initiatives as a planning subject matter expert.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Expert-level analytical skills with the ability to build, interpret, and communicate complex planning models and scenario analyses.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, dynamic arrays, Power Query); experience with advanced planning and scheduling (APS) tools a significant plus.
- Deep knowledge of manufacturing planning concepts: MRP, RCCP, S&OP, SIOP, kanban, lean scheduling, and inventory optimization.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills — able to drive alignment across operations, sales, procurement, and finance without direct authority.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; experienced presenting planning scenarios and recommendations to senior leadership.
- APICS CPIM or CSCP certification required (or actively in progress); additional credentials in lean or project management a plus.
Preferred Skills
• Expert-level analytical skills with the ability to build, interpret, and communicate complex planning models and scenario analyses.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, dynamic arrays, Power Query); experience with advanced planning and scheduling (APS) tools a significant plus.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing planning concepts: MRP, RCCP, S&OP, SIOP, kanban, lean scheduling, and inventory optimization.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills — able to drive alignment across operations, sales, procurement, and finance without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; experienced presenting planning scenarios and recommendations to senior leadership.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification required (or actively in progress); additional credentials in lean or project management a plus.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required; MBA or graduate degree a plus.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain operations in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-line, or multi-site schedules in a high-mix or high-volume environment.
- Prior experience mentoring or leading junior planning staff preferred.
- Advanced proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, SYSPRO, or comparable); super-user or configuration experience strongly preferred.
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 Senior 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.