Production Planner

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Production Planner to join our production planning team. This role is responsible for managing production schedules and supporting efficient, on-time manufacturing. The successful candidate will use analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to coordinate production activities and respond to changing requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production schedules to meet customer demand and optimize resource utilization.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and sales teams to coordinate production activities.
• Monitor and analyze production data, identify improvement opportunities, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with procurement to support the timely delivery of production materials.
• Forecast future demand with the sales team and adjust production plans as needed.
• Identify production-capacity bottlenecks and propose productivity improvements.
• Determine outsourcing requirements based on plant capacity and product lead times.
• Participate in production scheduling meetings, assess plant performance, and resolve schedule conflicts.
• Ensure the accuracy of production orders.
• Regularly assess production performance and implement changes as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Five years of experience as a Production Planner or in a similar role.
• APICS certification is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of MRP, production planning, and supply chain principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Job Details

• Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Job Type: Direct hire