Production Control Planner

The Production Control Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing production schedules to meet customer demand, support manufacturing capacity requirements, and ensure on-time delivery. This role serves as a critical link between customers, production, shipping, engineering, and operations teams to balance production requirements, inventory objectives, and manufacturing capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working within an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment and possess strong knowledge of production control processes, MRP/ERP systems, APQP requirements, lean manufacturing principles, and automotive customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly production schedules using information from the company’s MRP/ERP system.
• Review customer demand requirements and production forecasts to identify fluctuations and adjust schedules accordingly.
• Monitor daily production output versus scheduled requirements to ensure customer demand and delivery commitments are achieved.
• Identify production schedule gaps, analyze root causes, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain accurate production schedules by updating completed quantities, shortages, and outstanding customer requirements.
• Coordinate with Production Supervisors and Operations Management to evaluate labor capacity, schedule overtime, and support production requirements.
• Collaborate with production, shipping, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure on-time delivery performance.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives focused on improving scheduling processes, production efficiency, run sizes, and inventory levels.
• Continuously evaluate and improve scheduling methods, systems, and processes to support changing production requirements.
• Coordinate engineering change activities, including bank builds, build-outs, engineering level changes, and new part number implementation.
• Support APQP activities, production launches, and customer-specific requirements as needed.
• Monitor finished goods and work-in-process (WIP) inventory levels to support inventory turn objectives.
• Participate in internal quality audits and support compliance with automotive quality systems.
• Track and report key production metrics, including schedule attainment, delivery performance, capacity utilization, and inventory performance.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in production control, production planning, scheduling, or a similar role within an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline; equivalent automotive manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Experience using MRP/ERP systems for production planning and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, customer requirements, and production control practices.
• Experience supporting APQP activities, engineering changes, and new product launches.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Strong time management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification.
• Experience with automotive OEM customer requirements and scheduling systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and quality systems such as IATF 16949.
• Experience managing production capacity, inventory targets, and customer delivery requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across production, engineering, logistics, and leadership teams.