Prototype Production Planner

BorgWarner • Arden, NC

3d • $62,000 - $85,250 • Onsite

About The Position

The Prototype Production Planner works within BorgWarner’s Arden Technical Center, which designs and produces turbo, fan, and fan-drive components for the automotive industry. The role balances capacity, inventory levels, and customer delivery schedules to keep prototype planning processes running smoothly and efficiently.

The planner creates and maintains prototype schedules for testing and the model shop, coordinates prototype orders and material transfers, and uses SAP and GEMS to manage parts, builds, testing, and planning parameters. The position works closely with engineering, testing, model-shop teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to meet customer requirements, manage changes, resolve delays, and improve efficiency. It also monitors performance indicators, manages inventory including excess and obsolete materials, and supports safety, quality, and environmental requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proven experience in production planning within an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in SAP and Excel.
• Ability to adapt quickly and flexibly to changing environments.
• Strong decision-making, analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively and communicate in a way that inspires action.
• Ability to maintain high levels of accuracy and precision.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks based on significance.
• Reliable attendance; attendance on the job is essential.
• Ability to follow instructions, safety rules, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain prototype schedules for testing and the model shop, accounting for customer priorities, capacity, material flow, planned downtime, and internal demands.
• Manage prototype planning details and adapt schedules in response to changing conditions and customer requirements.
• Monitor assigned GEMS tickets for approvals and manage tickets for parts orders, builds, and testing.
• Use SAP to order parts for prototype builds.
• Ensure on-time delivery of finished goods and work-in-process by managing schedules and addressing delays.
• Use data to recommend schedule changes or alternatives when delays occur.
• Work with engineering departments and team leads to resolve routing issues and improve efficiency and capacity utilization.
• Manage prototype orders and GEMS requests daily to support customer on-time delivery.
• Create transfer orders for materials needed for prototype orders.
• Manage finished-goods and work-in-process inventory levels, minimizing excess inventory while ensuring materials are available when needed.
• Evaluate, report, and manage excess and obsolete inventory.
• Identify and drive operational improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and process-flow changes.
• Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams and keep stakeholders informed about prototype build and machining schedules and changes.
• Communicate urgency and help drive the team toward results.
• Address planning and production issues, including delays, equipment malfunctions, and material shortages, and implement continuous-improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Understand, maintain, and adjust SAP and GEMS parameters.
• Monitor KPIs for production performance, inventory, schedule attainment, and overtime, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Transport materials as required using proper handling methods.
• Maintain an orderly work area and clean equipment, floors, and tables as needed.
• Follow inspection procedures and maintain quality standards.
• Follow current health, safety, environmental, quality, and control policies, including required PPE and safe equipment use; correct or promptly report unsafe situations and incidents.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Benefits

• Day 1 medical coverage, with potential for no monthly premium.
• Onsite health clinic at no cost for employees and dependents age 14 and over.
• Dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement program after 18 months.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching.
• Company-paid holidays and vacation starting Day 1.
• Above-market pay rate for the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED