Production Planning Manager
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As Production Planning Manager, you will oversee the planning and scheduling strategy that keeps our operations running safely, efficiently, and on time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead division-wide production planning and scheduling activities.
- Balance customer demand, production capacity, inventory levels, and logistics requirements.
- Develop and manage long-range capacity plans and production forecasts.
- Optimize mill utilization, throughput, and constraint management.
- Establish planning standards, scheduling disciplines, and best practices.
- Drive backlog management, inventory optimization, and FIFO compliance.
- Oversee freight strategy, carrier relationships, routing efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Provide executive-level visibility into schedule performance, backlog health, inventory exposure, and service risks.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for SAP, MRP systems, and planning processes.
- Partner with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to improve forecast accuracy and operational performance.
- Lead and develop production planners while building organizational capability and succession readiness.
- Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cost and improve customer service.
Successful candidates demonstrate:
- Strong production planning and scheduling expertise
- Advanced ERP/MRP knowledge (SAP preferred)
- Supply chain and inventory management experience
- Financial and business acumen
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and talent development capabilities
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- A commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 7–10 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations
- 3–5 years of leadership or senior-level planning responsibility
- Advanced ERP and MRP experience (SAP preferred)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, logistics, purchasing, and material flow
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field
- Lean manufacturing leadership experience
- Budget ownership or P&L exposure
- Multi-site or complex manufacturing experience
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