Production Planning Manager
About The Position
As Production Planning Manager, you will oversee the planning and scheduling strategy that keeps our operations running safely, efficiently, and on time. This role involves leading division-wide production planning and scheduling activities, balancing various operational factors, and optimizing mill utilization. You will also be responsible for establishing planning standards, driving backlog management, and overseeing freight strategy. The position requires providing executive-level visibility into schedule performance and serving as a subject matter expert for SAP and planning processes. Collaboration with other departments and leadership development are key aspects of this role, along with championing continuous improvement initiatives.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 7–10 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations
- 3–5 years of leadership or senior-level planning responsibility
- Advanced ERP and MRP experience (SAP preferred)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, logistics, purchasing, and material flow
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field
- Lean manufacturing leadership experience
- Budget ownership or P&L exposure
- Multi-site or complex manufacturing experience
Responsibilities
- Lead division-wide production planning and scheduling activities.
- Balance customer demand, production capacity, inventory levels, and logistics requirements.
- Develop and manage long-range capacity plans and production forecasts.
- Optimize mill utilization, throughput, and constraint management.
- Establish planning standards, scheduling disciplines, and best practices.
- Drive backlog management, inventory optimization, and FIFO compliance.
- Oversee freight strategy, carrier relationships, routing efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Provide executive-level visibility into schedule performance, backlog health, inventory exposure, and service risks.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for SAP, MRP systems, and planning processes.
- Partner with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to improve forecast accuracy and operational performance.
- Lead and develop production planners while building organizational capability and succession readiness.
- Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cost and improve customer service.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
High school or GED
