Lead Production Planner
About The Position
There's never been a better time to join Stratus! As the market leader in brand implementation and maintenance, we transform how national brands connect with their customers. From exterior signage & interior branding to site refresh & remodel, from energy & lighting to repair & maintenance solutions, we deliver ideal solutions to meet all our client's branding needs. From our locations across the country, to our corporate headquarters in Mentor, Ohio, every employee is a stakeholder in Stratus' success. This environment offers endless career opportunities for individuals with a commitment to customer service, focus on execution and bias for action. Job Summary:The Lead Production Planner is responsible for overseeing and optimizing production scheduling and resource allocation for large-scale signage and facility service projects. This role ensures that all projects meet client specifications, deadlines, and quality standards while maintaining cost efficiency. The Lead Production Planner acts as the central liaison between sales, design, procurement, and installation teams to ensure seamless execution.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
- 5+ years in production planning or scheduling within manufacturing or signage/facility services industry preferred.
- Proven experience managing complex, multi-site production schedules.
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and scheduling tools.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Familiarity with large-scale signage fabrication processes and installation logistics preferred.
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification preferred.
Responsibilities
- Production Scheduling & Coordination
- Develop and maintain master production schedules for signage fabrication and facility service projects.
- Balance workload across multiple plants and vendors to meet deadlines and minimize bottlenecks.
- Material & Resource Planning
- Forecast material requirements based on project pipeline and lead times.
- Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely delivery of substrates, hardware, and specialty components.
- Capacity Management
- Monitor production capacity and adjust schedules to optimize throughput.
- Identify and resolve conflicts in resource allocation.
- Cross-Functional Communication
- Serve as the primary point of contact for project managers, sales teams, and installation crews regarding production timelines.
- Provide regular status updates and proactively communicate delays or risks.
- Process Improvement
- Analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives in scheduling and workflow.
- Compliance & Quality
- Ensure adherence to company standards, safety protocols, and client specifications.
- Validate that all production plans align with quality assurance requirements.
Benefits
- Supportive & Friendly Culture
- Manage national accounts for Fortune 500 companies
- Medical, Dental, Vision coverage options
- Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
- Company paid Life Insurance
- 401k with Employer Contribution
- Company paid Short/Long Term Disability
- Generous Paid Time Off program + Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Career Mapping
- Additional perks including Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Educational Assistance Program, Identity Theft Protection, Critical Illness Plans, Commuter Benefits and various employee discount offerings from our Vendors
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
