Director, Production Planning

Director, Production Planning

SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, remote controlled weapons stations, and training.  For over 250 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision.  Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens.  Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy.  Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has over 3,400 employees across sixteen U.S. locations in three states, and four additional global facilities.  SIG SAUER is certified a Great Place to Work™.  For more information about the company and product line visit: www.sigsauer.com

Position Summary: The Director, Production Planning is responsible for leading and optimizing the production machining planning process, ensuring efficient scheduling, resource allocation and alignment with business objectives. This role collaborates with various departments, develops and implements demand planning systems and processes, and analyzes data to improve forecast accuracy and reduce inventory costs. Responsibilities also include analyzing performance metrics, setting KPIs, and collaborating with executive leadership on long-term manufacturing strategies. This position drives operational excellence by identifying process improvements and optimizing resource allocation while managing associated inventories within assigned budgets  

FLSA: Exempt

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the entire production/machining planning process, including data collection, analysis, forecasting, resource allocation, workflow optimization and reporting.
• Develop and maintain accurate production schedules by analyzing historical output data and equipment capacity
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to gather insights, align plans, and communicate schedules.
• Develop and implement inventory and production strategies that optimize material flow, reduce costs and meet customer delivery requirements
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define and execute long-term manufacturing/machining goals and strategies. Collaborate with senior leadership to define and execute long-term machining goals and strategies. Develop and present business cases, strategic plans, and performance reports to the executive team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, clients, and industry partners.
• Set clear brand goals and KPIs and track progress through performance metrics and regular reporting. Monitor industry trends and competitive landscape to anticipate and address potential challenges and opportunities in machining production.
• Report on production performance, including output, efficiency, downtime and quality metrics.
• Identify and pursue new process improvement opportunities to drive operational efficiency and expand manufacturing capabilities
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic decision-making and identify emerging trends.
• Collaborate on the creation and execution of manufacturing initiatives, including process improvements, automation, and lean projects. Lead internal teams in the execution of production initiatives and ensure alignment with overall company goals.
• Ensure that the appropriate team structure and members are in place for the team to achieve its goals and objectives, interviewing and selecting the most highly skilled candidate(s) for the team.
• Coach and mentor team talent, setting clear priorities and success metrics.
• Develop leadership and influence skills for indirect management.
• Provide regular and structured feedback, ensuring high performance. Create an environment of collaboration and open communication. Actively measure and enhance employee engagement by addressing team members' concerns and providing opportunities for feedback.
• Make strategic, data-driven decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term objectives. Ensure decisions align with company values and goals.
• Lead the team in identifying and solving complex problems, breaking down challenges into manageable tasks, provide guidance on how to tackle them, and in adopting processes for continuous improvements. Communicate feedback from senior leadership to the team, ensuring it is actionable.
• Identify, assess, and mit