Production Planner - Plant 4

Howmet Aerospace•Whitehall, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Planner position is located at Plant 4 in Whitehall, Michigan. The role coordinates customer requirements with plant scheduling and manufacturing operations to support on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and efficient workflow. It serves as a liaison between customers and the plant, tracking orders and open items, communicating priorities, and coordinating resources to address delays and changing conditions. The planner processes orders for an assigned account portfolio, including order entry and maintenance, placement with outplant vendors, order review, customer acknowledgment, and resolution of issues that delay manufacturing releases or shipments. The position works with the Master Scheduler and department supervisors to plan workflow, monitor project status, expedite delayed operations, adjust schedules when conditions change, and reconcile shipments daily.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Two years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility will be verified at hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and work as a self-starter.
Competent use of an automated order system.
Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and material flow.
Strong quantitative analysis skills, including use of Microsoft Excel.
Ability to develop and use planning strategies.

Nice To Haves

APICS Certification.

Responsibilities

Communicate with regular and prospective customers about requirements and customer service concerns, and answer questions.
Respond promptly to customer inquiries about key project status, open orders, and unresolved issues.
Check and audit scheduling rules and coordinate with other departments to support plant on-time delivery targets.
Track open items, secure purchase order coverage, and resolve contractual issues that delay input or shipment of customer requirements.
Process orders for an assigned account portfolio, including order entry and maintenance, placement with outplant vendors, order review, customer acknowledgment, and resolution of issues delaying manufacturing release or shipment.
Address service-failure complaints and refer them to designated departments for investigation.
Coordinate with the Master Scheduler to plan and schedule departmental and operational workflow according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times.
Confer with department supervisors to determine the status of assigned projects.
Expedite operations that delay schedules and alter schedules to accommodate unforeseen conditions.
Reconcile shipments daily.
Review and communicate customer demand, help prioritize and schedule work, and plan according to customer information and internal capability and capacity.
Track schedule attainment, throughput, on-time delivery, revenue-related measures, customer satisfaction, and finished or shipped goods; adjust plans as needed.
Act as a liaison between customers and the plant, communicate customer priorities, and coordinate internal resources to achieve goals.
Manage and monitor inventory and information accurately, maintain follow-through, and develop repeatable processes in response to issues or opportunities.
Track down information and requirements needed for smooth operations and coordinate solutions with internal and external stakeholders.
Adjust plans to customer demands, create recovery plans when needed, and represent plant interests and capabilities to customers.