Senior Specialist, Planner

The Role: 

Our site in Chaska is seeking a Senior Planning Specialist to join our team. As a Senior Planning Specialist, you will play a key role in ensuring that production, inventory, and material flow plans are aligned with customer demand and operational goals. You will use your planning expertise, analytical mindset, and cross functional collaboration skills to create and optimize production schedules, resolve constraints, and support data integrity across planning systems. This role requires thoughtful problem solving, strong decision making, and the ability to influence partners at all levels—consistent with L3 expectations for substantial knowledge, moderate complexity, and independent action. 

What You’ll Do: 

• Develop, manage, and adjust production schedules to ensure efficient workflow, on time delivery, and alignment with demand forecasts  

• Review MRP signals daily and create or update work orders to meet demand, proactively communicating changes to manufacturing and procurement  

• Identify and resolve constraints related to materials, labor, tools, and capacity through structured problem solving and cross functional partnership  

• Lead weekly capacity and production meetings, driving accountability for scheduled execution and mitigation actions  

• Ensure data accuracy and maintain key master data elements related to planning, such as safety stock levels, order quantities, and scheduling parameters  

• Review and respond to Engineering Change Requests/Orders (ECR/ECO) and Quality Notifications to ensure smooth transitions and correct planning records  

• Assemble and release work‑order packets to support production readiness and workflow efficiency  

• Analyze workorder variances, support root-cause investigations, and close orders in alignment with standard processes  

• Partner cross functionally with manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality, and engineering teams to drive planning accuracy and achieve shared goals—reflecting PACE values and L3 collaboration expectations  

• Support introduction of new tooling or process updates by coordinating with tool room and operations teams 

• Maintain a safe and organized workspace by following site safety protocols and identifying potential hazards 

What We Seek: 

• High school diploma or GED required 

• Must be 18 years or older and have the right to work in the US without sponsorship 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field 

• At least 5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or related manufacturing operations 

• Advanced SAP experience, including materials management or production planning modules