Manufacturing Planner

The Manufacturing Planner plays a critical role in ensuring the success of manufacturing operations by developing, maintaining, and optimizing work center schedules for assigned business unit areas. This role serves as a key link between planning and production, working closely with production leaders and other stakeholders to drive schedule adherence, reduce downtime, and maximize output. By aligning daily and long-term production needs with available resources, the Manufacturing Planner helps ensure on-time delivery, efficient workflow, and customer satisfaction.

As a faith-based organization rooted in biblical principles, we strive to reflect these values in our work, relationships, and decision-making. We expect all associates to learn, embrace, and actively model our core values through their actions, choices, and collaboration with others. This commitment is essential to sustaining our culture and achieving shared success.

This job description is not exhaustive and may change at any time with or without notice to reflect business needs. It is intended to provide a representative summary of the responsibilities, duties, and work environment associated with this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, manage, and adjust production schedules for assigned business unit areas to meet customer and business objectives.
• Partner proactively with production supervisors to identify scheduling constraints and remove bottlenecks, optimizing work center efficiency.
• Maintain an active presence on the production floor at least three days per week to ensure alignment between planning and execution, and to respond quickly to shifting priorities.
• Analyze and monitor weekly and daily production status reports, making real-time adjustments to minimize downtime and prioritize high-impact work.
• Leverage tools such as job status reports and load-leveling applications to balance workloads, manage backlogs, and forecast capacity needs.
• Track material availability and coordinate with procurement to prevent shortages and delays, ensuring steady material flow to support production schedules.
• Communicate effectively with Sales, Project Management, and other internal teams regarding production timelines, material delays, and scheduling changes.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production needs without excess.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve planning processes, increase scheduling accuracy, and support lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support operational goals and management.

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROFICIENCIES:
This position requires a solid manufacturing background and a working knowledge of daily plant operations. The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel; experience with Epicor or similar ERP systems is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• A proactive, customer-oriented mindset with a deep understanding of production capabilities and constraints.
• High motivation, strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

EEO STATEMENT:
Our company is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected under local, state, or federal laws.