We are looking for a Production Planning Specialist who will be providing support to our growing organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, supply chain management or a related field.
- Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, and inventory management in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience as a Production Planning Specialist or similar role in a manufacturing facility.
- Strong knowledge of production planning principles, techniques, and best practices.
- Proficiency in using production planning software or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
- Strong knowledge of supply chain management principles, including warehousing, and distribution.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Production Planning and Scheduling:
- Develop and implement production plans and schedules based on customer demand, sales orders, sales forecasts, and available resources.
- Analyze production capacity, lead times, and constraints to optimize production efficiency and meet customer delivery requirements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, operations, engineering, and procurement, to align production plans with overall business objectives.
- Monitor production progress and make real-time adjustments to schedules as needed, considering factors such as equipment availability, material availability, and workforce capacity.
- Anticipate and proactively address any potential production bottlenecks or issues to minimize disruptions and delays.
2. Material Planning and Inventory Management:
- Work closely with procurement and inventory control teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies for production.
- Maintain accurate inventory records, monitor stock levels, and initiate purchase orders or production orders to replenish materials as needed.
- Collaborate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of materials and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Implement inventory optimization strategies, such as safety stock levels and economic order quantities, to minimize inventory holding costs while ensuring uninterrupted production.
3. Capacity Planning and Resource Allocation:
- Analyze production capacity and constraints to determine optimal utilization of resources, including machinery, equipment, labor, and skills.
- Coordinate with production supervisors and department managers to allocate resources effectively, ensuring balanced workloads and meeting production targets.
- Create work orders.
- Monitor and track production performance metrics, such as throughput, efficiency, and utilization, to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
4. Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization:
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiency enhancements within the production planning function.
- Develop and implement standardized procedures, tools, and systems to streamline production planning processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives, such as lean manufacturing or Six Sigma projects, to optimize production workflows and reduce waste.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to production planning, including production schedules, work orders, bill of materials, and other relevant records.
- Generate regular reports on production performance, capacity utilization, material availability, and other key metrics for management review.
- Provide insights and recommendations based on data analysis to support decision-making and drive operational excellence.
6. Inventory and Warehouse Management:
- Collaborate with the warehouse team to ensure accurate inventory levels and efficient warehouse operations.
- Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to manage inbound and outbound shipments, including scheduling, documentation, and customs clearance.
- Implement inventory control measures to minimize stockouts, excess inventory, and obsolescence.
- Conduct regular inventory audits and cycle counts to maintain inventory accuracy.
7. Order Fulfillment and Customer Service:
- Process and manage customer orders, ensuring accurate and timely order fulfillment.
- Coordinate with sales, production, and customer service teams to address customer inquiries, order changes, and delivery updates.
- Monitor order status and track shipments to ensure on-time delivery and resolve any issues or delays.
- Maintain accurate records of customer orders, shipments, and delivery documentation.
- Collaborate with the customer service team to provide excellent customer service and resolve any logistics-related customer complaints.
8. Supply Chain Collaboration:
- Collaborate with internal teams, including procurement, production, and sales, to ensure alignment on inventory planning, production schedules, and customer demands.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, carriers, and other logistics service providers.
- Participate in supplier performance reviews and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement supply chain improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
- Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices in supply chain management.
9. Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization:
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices.
- Utilize lean principles and methodologies to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and reduce lead times.
