Buyer Planner I

Crane Company; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Crane Company in Los Angeles is seeking a Production Planner to develop and maintain schedules, balance capacity, and align materials with demand to meet customer orders.

You will collaborate with product managers, procurement, and manufacturing engineers to optimize flow, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement.

The role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, and the ability to lead cross-functional planning efforts in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or technical field.
• Minimum 2 years in production planning or related role.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (QAD preferred).
• Certifications such as CPIM, CSCP, or Six Sigma Green Belt are a plus.
• Proficient in ERP and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Scheduling Production: Develop and maintain production schedules to meet customer orders and deadlines.
• Level Loading: Ensure raw materials, labor, Work Orders and equipment are available when needed.
• Forecasting Demand: Work with Product Managers and use sales data for capacity planning.
• Inventory Management: Balance stock levels with Materials Manager to avoid shortages.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and propose process improvements.
• Plan daily, weekly and monthly schedules for cells using capacity models.
• Monitor material availability and coordinate with procurement to avoid delays.
• Track production progress and adjust schedules; be the main contact for cross-functional org.
• Communicate timelines and changes with stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or technical field

Tools

QAD ERP

MS Office

Job description

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Scheduling Production: Develop and maintain production schedules to meet customer orders and deadlines.
• Level Loading: Ensure raw materials, labor, Work Orders and equipment are available when needed. (Working with Leads/Supervisors)
• Participation and preparation of WD3 planning (material, risk, pull-in opportunities)
• Forecasting Demand: Work and align with Product Managers and use sales data and demand trends (DRS Meeting) for capacity planning.
• Inventory Management: Work with Materials Manager on balance stock levels to avoid shortages or overproduction.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and propose process improvements.
• Plan daily, weekly and monthly schedules for respective cells using capacity models based on customer orders and forecasts. Print, distribute, and revise production schedules by cell as needed.
• Provide recovery dates and elevate spikes or undercapacity constraints
• Monitor material availability and coordinate with procurement to avoid delays. Align buying, production, and front-end operations with sales, capacity, and customer priorities
• Track production progress and adjust schedules when unexpected delays occur and be the key point of contact for cross functional organization.
• Update recovery or reschedule dates in QAD or Customer Care system by publishing production schedules to external teams and communicate order status (fall-outs, late orders, pull-ins)
• Maintain accurate records of production activities, KPIs/TTIs, inventory, and resource usage. Update KPI metrics such as planned vs. fulfilled orders, root causes, and corrective actions
• Collaborate with quality control teams to ensure products meet standards. (i.e. quality hold/SM Hold, customer samples)
• Efficiently plan cells to minimize changeovers by grouping parts by part qty process routes (PQPR).
• Maintain item master data including lead times, work centers, and routing coordination with Manufacturing Engineers
• Distinguish between due date and required date orders for accurate fulfillment
• Lead production meetings (daily or bi-weekly) to assess capacity and material availability \Identify pull-in opportunities by reviewing shortage reports and collaborating with buyers to meet Monthly Department Plan as aligned in WD3
• Identify pull-in opportunities by reviewing shortage reports and collaborating with buyers to meet Monthly Department Plan as aligned in WD3
• Communicate with stakeholders (suppliers, managers, customer service) about timelines and changes.
• Ensure ETDR processes are incorporated with backflushing

Experience/Training/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or a technical field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in production planning or related role
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (QAD preferred)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Experience with capacity planning, scheduling, and KPI tracking
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Certifications such as CPIM, CSCP, or Six Sigma Green Belt are a plus
• Proficient in ERP systems and Microsoft office suite software (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, MS project, etc.).

Knowledge of:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a proven capacity to make timely, effective, and fact-based decisions
• Advanced proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and scheduling software to support production planning and reporting
• Lean manufacturing methodologies including Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen Leadership, and 5S, with practical experience in driving process improvements
• Kanban and pull system strategies for efficient component flow and inventory control
• Supplier performance management tools such as scorecards, metrics, and corrective action plans
• Global Sourcing and Supplier Collaboration, particularly with vendors in low-cost regions (e.g., Asia, Eastern Europe)
• Cross-functional coordination across planning, procurement, and operations to align production with business objectives

$ 60.000 - 70.000

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.