Exempt / Salary

Job Summary

• The basic function of the Production Planner is to ensure all material is available and on time in accordance with the build schedule and the customer’s request.
• Manage inventory levels: Collaborating with Program Managers, Purchasing and Inventory teams to ensure timely material availability, minimizing shortages and excesses.
• Monitor material and capacity constraints that impact achieving the build schedule and take corrective actions to prevent negative impacts.
• Support continuous improvement activities for planning and production relating to assigned product lines.
• Position will conduct complex material management optimization proposals to improve schedules, operations, reduce cost, and improve cash flow.

Essential Functions (Duties and Responsibilities)

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

• Analyze historical data, customer backlog and if applicable customer forecasts to develop accurate demand plans.
• Develop build plan for the Manufacturing team and manage load leveling and bottleneck scheduling and utilize theory of constraints (TOC) for more accurate scheduling.
• Generate KPI reports and/or dashboards to track budget to actual accuracy, schedule adherence, and inventory controls.
• Work with input from the Planner(s), Program Managers and Purchasing to maintain master data accuracy for all planning elements. 
• Support continuous improvement activities for planning and production relating to assigned customer accounts and departmental goals. Proactively implement effective strategies to manage workload in manufacturing, mitigate schedule risk and resolve processing issues as they arise.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve planning efficiency and responsiveness.
• Coordinate with Planner(s), Program Managers and Inventory Management to analyze inventory levels and product demands to determine schedules that will ensure product availability and minimize inventory costs.
• Further develop existing processes or procedures to improve current days of inventory and cash flow cycles.
• Review and maintain forecast and/or production schedules and material requirements.
• Improve forecasting tools and procedures through application of innovative ideas and projects.
• Assess impact to materials availability and production schedule from customer sales opportunities that may be affecting demand for product over and above the plan.
• Review assigned customer accounts material shortages, stock outages, and safety stock levels while working with Purchasing Inventory team and Manufacturing to meet customer requirements. Propose changes when needed.
• Assure the enforcement of all company policies and procedures within the job responsibilities.
• Assist the Planner(s), Buyer(s) and Program Manager(s) with any other duties as assigned.

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE

The Production Planner of VIRTEX shall be deemed to be performing in an acceptable manner when the following have been accomplished:

• Materials are scheduled as needed, and job builds are accurately completed on time.
• Production capacity and constraints are accurately reported in a timely manner to avoid schedule impacts. 
• Collaborate and effectively communication is maintained with all cross functional team members and Virtex management 
• Ensure that schedules are created and reported in a timely fashion to assure that VIRTEX manufacturing commitments are met and that the company’s quality objective and on time delivery is accomplished.
• Support Program Managers and Buyers in the identification of parts that impact schedule and provide insight into options available.

Education & Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, business operations, logistics or related field. 

Work Experience - Technical knowledge

• 2-5 yrs experience in Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) and/or Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Fabrication and/or Electrical Mechanical assembly (Box build) Industry.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments

Professional Skills

• Must have working knowledge of MRP / ERP system
• Must have advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Working knowledge of quality systems and requirements related to manufacturing (i.e. AS9100, ISO9100, Lean, Six Sigma or similar)

Behavioral/Soft Skills

• Strong basic mathematical skills are required
• Demonstrate strong analytical, problem solving, and multitasking skills
• Assist (and lead certain initiatives) in developing and implementing company standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to create and present concepts and recommendations to management
• Must be an organized, self-starter who can work with a minimum of supervision.  
• Must have the ability to read, interpret and understand the structure of assembly the bill of material and product assembly drawings.
• Must be able to read, prepare and analyze the reports related to assigned functions and take needed actions on data that does not align with KPI goals 

General Work Conditions

Physical Demand

• Must be able to sit at workstation for long periods
• Must be able to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Work Environment

• Fairly quiet cubicle setting

VIRTEX is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, protected Veteran Status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. VIRTEX is an ITAR compliance employer, every employee must be US citizen or permanent resident (valid green card holder).