The Production Planner is responsible for converting demand and capacity into a single, reliable production plan — and for keeping that plan accurate, visible, and trusted across the operation. This role analyzes Rough Cut Capacity Plans (RCCP) against order demand to determine true production capacity at the labor-hour level, then creates, distributes, and monitors a smooth production plan that the floor can actually execute. Working closely with production leadership, the Production Planner incorporates productivity, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment utilization, order mix, and planned maintenance into the capacity model so the plan reflects reality, not just demand.

The guiding principle of this role is simple: maximize Plan and Execute, minimize Read and React. The successful candidate models a culture of respect, integrity, service, and excellence — creating a plan so well-established that execution becomes routine rather than a daily scramble.

Key Responsibilities

Capacity Planning & Plan Development

• Analyze Rough Cut Capacity Plans (RCCP) against order demand to determine available production capacity at the labor-hour level.

• Create, distribute, and monitor a smooth production plan, iterating between order demand and available production capacity (labor hours) to remove peaks, valleys, and downstream surprises before they reach the floor.

• Incorporate productivity rates, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment utilization, order mix, and planned maintenance into the labor-hour capacity model — creating a plan grounded in what the operation can actually deliver.

• Create the plan to be well-established and stable well ahead of execution, so production leadership can execute with confidence rather than reacting to a moving target.

• Review sales orders, forecast, and safety stock demand to determine scheduling priority, with an emphasis on on-time delivery of each contributing department.

• Utilize the MRP/ERP system to generate work orders and align the production plan.

• Evaluate Material Requirements Planning (MRP) output and recommend updates to the Master Production Schedule (MPS).

• Recommend adjustments to item attributes (lot sizing, lead times, safety stock) based on sales demand, production efficiency, and material availability.

Execution, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with production leadership to align labor capacity, staffing, and schedules with the production plan.

• Track and report metrics on plan performance — schedule adherence, attainment, OEE/utilization vs. plan, and order-mix variance — to leadership.

• Identify and collaborate with purchasing and warehouse on potential material shortages before they impact the schedule.

• Monitor execution against the plan and lead blameless root-cause analysis on deviations, focusing on closing the gap between plan and actual — not assigning blame.

• Coordinate and expedite work orders only when genuinely necessary; treat expediting as a signal to strengthen the plan, not as a routine planning method.

• Collaborate and communicate schedule changes clearly and promptly with all affected departments.

• Continuously refine planning assumptions (productivity, OEE, utilization, maintenance windows) using actual performance data to make each planning cycle more accurate than the last.

• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or materials management in a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience working within a capacity-constrained production plan, including Rough Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) or equivalent labor-hour capacity analysis.

• Working knowledge of production and manufacturing processes, including how productivity, OEE, equipment utilization, and planned maintenance affect available capacity.

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Plex, or similar) and strong Microsoft Excel skills for capacity modeling and reporting.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate demand and capacity data into a clear, executable plan.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align production leadership and cross-functional teams around a single plan.

• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.