Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Manufacturing Planner

🎯 Role Definition

The Manufacturing Planner is the central nervous system of our production operations, acting as the crucial link between customer demand and the manufacturing floor. This role is responsible for translating sales forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets into a tangible, executable production schedule that optimizes resources, minimizes costs, and ensures on-time delivery. You'll be a strategic problem-solver, working cross-functionally to navigate the complex interplay of materials, labor capacity, and machine availability. The success of this position is pivotal in balancing inventory levels, maximizing operational efficiency, and upholding our commitment to customer satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Planner / Production Coordinator
Materials Coordinator
Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

Senior Manufacturing Planner / Master Scheduler
Supply Chain Manager
Production Manager or Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Supply Planner / Demand Planner
Logistics Planner
Procurement Specialist / Senior Buyer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, maintain, and execute the Master Production Schedule (MPS) for designated product lines, balancing production capacity with demand forecasts and inventory goals.
Analyze and interpret sales forecasts, historical sales data, and customer orders to create accurate and achievable daily, weekly, and monthly production plans.
Run and analyze Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to determine raw material and component needs, ensuring timely availability to support the production schedule without interruption.
Issue, manage, and monitor the status of production work orders from release to completion, ensuring all necessary materials and documentation are in place.
Proactively identify and resolve potential constraints in materials, labor, and machine capacity by collaborating closely with Production, Procurement, and Engineering teams.
Continuously monitor production progress against the established schedule, identifying deviations and initiating corrective actions to get back on track.
Manage inventory levels for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods to meet corporate financial targets, minimize carrying costs, and prevent stock-outs or obsolescence.
Lead production planning meetings with cross-functional stakeholders to communicate schedules, discuss challenges, and align on priorities.
Maintain the integrity of planning data within the ERP system, including but not limited to lead times, safety stock levels, lot sizes, and bill of materials (BOMs).
Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Schedule Attainment, On-Time Delivery (OTD), Inventory Turns, and forecast accuracy, reporting on performance to management.
Coordinate with the engineering team on the implementation of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to ensure a smooth transition and minimize scrap or rework.
Perform "what-if" scenario analysis to assess the impact of demand changes, supply disruptions, or capacity adjustments on the production plan.
Act as the primary point of contact for the Sales and Customer Service teams regarding order status, lead times, and fulfillment capabilities.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the planning and scheduling processes, leveraging Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
Analyze and manage slow-moving and obsolete (SLOB) inventory, recommending and coordinating disposition activities to mitigate financial impact.

Secondary Functions

Support the introduction of new products (NPI) by developing initial production plans and coordinating material readiness.
Assist the procurement team in providing supplier forecasts to ensure a stable and predictable supply chain.
Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle count programs, helping to investigate and reconcile discrepancies.
Generate ad-hoc reports and perform data analysis related to production capacity, material availability, and schedule performance for management review.
Collaborate with the quality department to schedule rework or sorting activities as needed, ensuring they are integrated into the overall production plan.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, with hands-on experience in modules like SAP (PP/MM), Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP, and data visualization for analysis and reporting.
A thorough understanding of manufacturing principles and supply chain concepts, including MRP/MRP II, Master Production Scheduling (MPS), and Capacity Planning.
Experience with Bill of Materials (BOM) structuring, maintenance, and routing management.
Practical knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven planning decisions.

Soft Skills

Exceptional problem-solving skills, with a talent for identifying root causes and implementing effective, sustainable solutions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Meticulous attention to detail and superior organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
The ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and meet tight deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
A proactive, forward-thinking mindset with the initiative to anticipate future challenges and opportunities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

APICS certification (CPIM - Certified in Production and Inventory Management, or CSCP - Certified Supply Chain Professional).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
Business Administration
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in a manufacturing planning, production scheduling, or materials management role within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

Experience in a vertically integrated or complex assembly environment. A demonstrated track record of successfully improving key metrics such as on-time delivery, inventory turns, and schedule adherence is highly desirable.