Production Planner

Position Summary:

The Production Planner is responsible for material and production planning support for North America. This includes planning production materials to meet customer and financial requirements while managing inventory levels and minimizing carrying cost. This person will help build and support a culture of continuous improvement in the operations organization, as well as lead and participate on kaizens throughout the business.

Expected Results:

• Support on time delivery of customer orders
• Manage inventory levels to support production goals and maintain working capital
• Optimized planning and replenishment methods to drive sustainable process improvements within inventory, manufacturing/capacity planning, and product sourcing.
• New product implementation and support
• Participates in Lean events geared at Continuous improvement.
• Cross functional teamwork to achieve desired targets and business goals

Accountabilities:

• Monitor customer order patterns and changing requirements, while adjusting replenishment plans accordingly.  Coordinate inventory additions/deletions, new product introductions, inventory transitions
• Provide department support on cross-functional project teams including new product development, cost reduction initiatives and process improvements (best practices).
• Gather and analyze manufacturing, inventory, and customer data.  Develop appropriate decision-support tools and metrics for use by department staff and team members.
• Develop knowledge of all portions of position for coverage and/or advancement
• Assist with managing ERP database for all item numbers.  This includes BOMs, chemicals, packaging, shipping, routings, supplier’s transportation, and MRP updates.
• Interface daily with customer service and sales teams to ensure materials plan meets customer and business needs

Technical Skills/Experience/Background/Traits:

• Prior experience in manufacturing required
• Experience with ERP systems
• Strong analytical, problem solving, planning and general business skills.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability work with a team and motivate others to achieve goals.
• Experience with Lean applications/kaizen strongly preferred
• Ability to lead and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams and/or project environment.
• PC Skills – Excel (intermediate to advanced); Word (working knowledge).
• Customer Orientated – Ability to meet or exceed customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Detail Orientated – Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Tactful – Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Honesty/Integrity – Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace
• Flexibility – Ability to work through change while maintaining a positive attitude

Educational Preferences/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years’ experience in purchasing, inventory planning, Lean Manufacturing, ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics MRP), Demand Planning