Production Planning Supervisor

Job Summary 

Production Planner III/Master Scheduler plays a pivotal role in optimizing production processes, and requires advanced knowledge, strategic thinking, and leadership skills to drive operational excellence and meet organizational goals. This position involves advanced planning, analysis, and coordination to meet production targets while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. This position plays a critical role in driving planning and inventory excellence, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the efficient utilization of resources to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. This position requires a combination of strategic thinking, technical expertise, and leadership skills to succeed in a dynamic and challenging production environment. 

This position may require minor travel to the plant(s) and may require some after normal business hours reviews of production plans.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Production Scheduling: Develop and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts, resource availability, and production capacity. Balance production efficiencies and ensure alignment with sales forecasts and inventory levels to meet customer demand while minimizing excess inventory and minimizing lead times.  

• Inventory Optimization: Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. Implement inventory control measures to prevent stockouts and excess inventory, while minimizing costs. Monitor, analyze and implement inventory control measures as needed. Raw Material ordering in some “business units” may be required. 

• Resource Optimization: Coordinate with various departments, including procurement, manufacturing, and logistics, to optimize resource utilization. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce lead times, and improve overall efficiency. Anticipate and resolve resource and material constraints to maintain uninterrupted production flow. 

• Data Analysis: Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. Utilize statistical methods and forecasting techniques to predict future demand and optimize production plans. 

• Communication and Coordination: Communicate production schedules, priorities, and updates to stakeholders, including production teams, supervisors, and management. Coordinate with internal departments and external suppliers (if required) to resolve issues and ensure smooth operations. 

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency improvement within production processes. Lead or participate in cross-functional teams to implement process improvement initiatives and best practices. 

• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with operations and quality control teams to ensure that production plans meet the requirements to produce a quality product. Monitor on hold items as needed to resolve in a timely manner.  

• Technology Utilization: Leverage production planning software, ERP systems, and other tools to automate processes, streamline workflows, and facilitate data analysis.  

• Strategic Planning: Participate in long-term production plans that are aligned with business objectives, market demands, and capacity constraints. Collaborate with senior management to define production strategies and initiatives.