Production Planner II

Protective Industrial Products•Town of Guilderland, NY

21d

About The Position

The Production Planner II is responsible for evaluating customer orders, inventory availability, and facility capacity to determine the most cost-effective and efficient production path across PIP’s logo customization network. Operating across Guilderland, NY; Olive Branch, MS; and Marietta, GA, this role ensures that every order is aligned to the right process, at the right site, using the right resources — whether in-house or through an approved third-party vendor. The Master Scheduler serves as a key decision-maker and liaison between Customer Service, Operations, and Supply Chain, ensuring customer deadlines are met through proactive planning and real-time problem solving.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain operations, ideally in a multi-site or customization/manufacturing environment.
Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (Epicor preferred) and strong Excel-based analysis skills.
Strong analytical thinking, communication, and decision-making abilities.
Ability to work cross-functionally with multiple teams and locations.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing or coordinating with third-party suppliers or contract manufacturers a plus.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Review new customer orders to determine the most efficient and cost-effective production method (e.g., heat transfer, pad print, screen print, or 3rd party vendor).
Evaluate inventory availability at the order level, identifying shortages and presenting alternatives or substitutions.
Recommend adjustments to order routing or production methods based on material readiness and capacity constraints.
Analyze demand, backlog, and capacity across all PIP facilities to ensure efficient order flow.
Recommend adjustments to site assignments to maximize throughput, minimize lead time, and reduce carryover or unfinished orders between scheduling periods.
Coordinate scheduling adjustments and load sharing across locations to maintain balanced workflows and achieve on-time delivery.
Partner with Customer Service to communicate schedule or order changes and manage customer expectations.
Provide proactive updates on inventory-related constraints and feasible delivery timelines.
Serve as the communication bridge between planning, production, and customer-facing teams.
Identify when 3rd party vendors should be utilized to supplement internal capacity or meet lead times.
Determine which orders to outsource and oversee all procurement and transfer processes for vendor-managed work.
Maintain and monitor ongoing communication with vendors to ensure orders are progressing on time and meeting quality standards.
Track scheduling and order routing performance, identifying recurring material or process constraints.
Recommend improvements to increase efficiency, reduce delays, and strengthen capacity planning.
Maintain accurate and current data within ERP/MRP systems to support transparent decision-making.