Production Planner

Summary

The Production & Materials Scheduler is responsible for executing and maintaining the daily production schedule while ensuring all required materials are available to optimize manufacturing efficiency and customer service goals. This role works closely with Operations, Warehouse, Supply Planning, and Procurement teams to balance manufacturing efficiency with material readiness, helping the plant run smoothly and efficiently every day. 

Responsibilities

Production Scheduling 

• Create, update, and communicate the daily and weekly production schedule for all manufacturing lines. 
• Schedule production runs efficiently to maximize line uptime and OEE while meeting demand priorities. 
• Monitor schedule attainment and investigate any variances or delays in production execution. 
• Adjust schedules in real-time based on material availability, downtime, or operational changes. 
• Maintain accurate schedule data within ERP to ensure visibility across departments. 
• Partner with Operations and Supply Planning to confirm schedule feasibility and clear-to-build status. 
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, R&D and other stakeholders to plan and schedule trials, planned downtime and other activities 
• Lead daily production and scheduling meetings to provide updates on materials and scheduling status. Communicate schedule changes clearly to all impacted departments to ensure alignment. 

Materials Planning & Inventory Coordination 

• Manage inventory planning and ordering to ensure material availability while maintaining departments goals. 
• Review daily and weekly material requirements to ensure all ingredients and packaging are available for scheduled runs. 
• Track and report on inventory levels, open purchase orders, and inbound material deliveries. 
• Communicate material shortages or delays to key stakeholders and adjust production schedules as needed. 
• Support the coordination of material transfers between storage, vendors, and production areas. 
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and escalate late or incomplete shipments. 
• Analyze and report on scrap, overages, and obsolete inventory to minimize waste. 
• Ensure master data and inventory transactions in ERP are accurate and timely. 

Performance Improvement & Collaboration 

• Serve as a key contact between Production, Warehouse, and Supply Planning. 
• Participate in cost savings and process improvement initiatives related to planning, scheduling, and material management. 
• Recommend updates to ERP parameters and planning settings to improve schedule accuracy & reliability. 
• Provide leadership with visibility into material and production performance metrics. 
• Support the implementation of process improvements that increase schedule accuracy and material flow efficiency. 

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Operations Management, or related field preferred. 

  2–4 years of experience in production scheduling, materials coordination, or related manufacturing/supply chain roles. 

  Hands-on experience with SAP (or similar ERP system) for MRP, production orders, and inventory transactions. 

  Strong Excel and data management skills for reporting and analysis. 

  Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through. 

  Able to multitask, prioritize, and react quickly to changing production needs. 

  Effective communicator who works well with cross-functional teams. 

  Professional demeanor under pressure and commitment to on-time, high-quality work.