Production Planner/Buyer

Prince Industries LLC • Brattleboro, VT

4d • $75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Production Planner / Buyer plans, schedules, and coordinates manufacturing activities to support on-time delivery, appropriate inventory levels, and efficient use of plant resources. The role connects Customer Service, Engineering, Production, Purchasing, and Shipping to meet customer requirements and improve operational efficiency.

The position develops and maintains production schedules, manages material requirements, procures raw materials and outside services, monitors inventory, and communicates order status and delivery commitments. It requires analytical attention to detail and experience in an ERP/MRP environment; Epicor ERP experience is strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Three to five years of experience in production planning, scheduling, purchasing, materials management, or supply chain roles in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong knowledge of production planning and scheduling methodologies.
• Understanding of MRP, inventory management, and supply chain fundamentals.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, engineering, quality, customer service, and suppliers.
• Data-driven decision-making mindset.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and customer demands.
• Only U.S. persons, as defined in the posting as U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or U.S. nationals, are eligible due to ITAR regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant manufacturing experience may be considered.
• Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium-volume manufacturing environment.
• Epicor ERP experience.
• Experience managing suppliers and purchase orders.
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM or CSCP).
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Experience in precision machining, metal fabrication, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, or other high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Advanced reporting and data analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute production schedules for manufacturing departments.
• Analyze customer demand, capacity requirements, lead times, and material availability to establish production priorities.
• Monitor production performance and adjust schedules to meet customer commitments and changing priorities.
• Coordinate with Production Supervisors to support efficient workflow and resource utilization.
• Identify production bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions to maintain on-time delivery.
• Expedite critical orders and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Use ERP/MRP tools to plan material requirements and support production schedules.
• Monitor inventory levels, maintain appropriate stock quantities, and minimize excess inventory.
• Analyze inventory usage, lead times, safety stock levels, and forecast requirements.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and material shortages.
• Support cycle counting and inventory accuracy initiatives.
• Procure raw materials, components, consumables, and outside processing services required for production.
• Create and manage purchase orders within the ERP system.
• Monitor supplier performance in quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Coordinate with suppliers to expedite deliveries, resolve shortages, and mitigate supply chain disruptions.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, pricing, and lead-time information.
• Review incoming customer orders and determine achievable delivery dates based on capacity and material availability.
• Communicate order status, scheduling constraints, and revised delivery dates to Customer Service and management.
• Collaborate with Customer Service to prioritize orders based on customer needs and business objectives.
• Maintain accurate planning, inventory, and purchasing data in the ERP system.
• Keep Bills of Material (BOMs), lead times, routing information, and planning parameters current.
• Generate and distribute weekly production, delivery, inventory, and purchasing reports.
• Analyze KPIs and recommend process improvements.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives involving production planning, inventory control, purchasing, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve scheduling accuracy, inventory turns, lead times, and on-time delivery.
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP/MRP processes.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Short- and long-term disability plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with strong employer match.
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D.
• Partial tuition reimbursement for job-related classes.
• PPE reimbursement.
• Relocation assistance information is linked in the posting; availability or terms are not specified.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree