Demand & Production Planning Lead

Phoenix Lighting; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Lighting is seeking a Production Planning professional to develop demand forecasts and prepare production schedules that align with the master plan. You will collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Production to balance demand with capacity and inventory targets.

You will lead weekly planning meetings, monitor orders, and coordinate with floor supervision to optimize priorities, ensuring on‑time delivery and efficient material usage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in material, production, or demand planning in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of MRP and modern ERP systems (SAP, Epicor, or Dynamics AX preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for analyzing historical data and forecasting.
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration, with deadlines met.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts using historical data, market trends, and input from Sales.
• Lead or participate in S&OP meetings and communicate forecast risks and opportunities.
• Prepare daily/weekly production schedules aligned with the master schedule.

Skills

Forecasting

S&OP coordination

Cross‑functional collaboration

Problem solving

Excel data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

Job Summary

Responsible for developing demand forecasts, preparing daily and weekly production schedules for assigned product lines or departments, and coordinating planning activities with the overall master schedule. Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Production to align customer demand with material availability, production capacity, inventory requirements, and delivery commitments.

Management Accountability

Production Planning Department

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Demand Planning

• Build and maintain statistical demand forecasts using historical sales, market trends; and input from Supply Chain and Sales.
• Lead or participate in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), communicating forecast risks, opportunities, and changes in demand.
• Align forecasts with inventory targets, safety stock, replenishment plans, production capacity, and new product introductions.

Production Planning and Scheduling

• Prepare daily and weekly production schedules aligned with master schedule.
• Review MRP to identify make/buy shortages, create finished goods work orders, and communicate material requirements to Purchasing and fabrication/machining schedulers.
• Coordinate schedule adjustments based on material availability, equipment capacity, staffing, and changing priorities.

Customer Order Management and Expediting

• Provide estimated lead times and ship dates and maintain accurate information utilizing planning tools and processes.
• Work with floor supervision to adjust production priorities, coordinate with external processors on part status, and verify component and finished goods inventory.
• Monitor key customer orders and proactively address issues that may affect delivery commitments.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Leadership

• Lead the weekly Production Planning meeting to review schedules, shortages, priorities, and delivery risks.
• Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Production to balance demand, inventory, materials, and capacity.
• Lead and oversee Production Planners, providing direction, coaching, and accountability to drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, production planning effectiveness, inventory management, and schedule performance.
• Manage employee performance and development through regular performance reviews, coaching, constructive feedback, and goal setting, while addressing attendance, conduct, performance, and disciplinary matters in accordance with company policies.

Marginal Job Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in a material planning, production planning, or demand planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of MRP and experience with a modern ERP system, such as SAP, Epicor, or Microsoft Dynamics AX preferred.
• Working knowledge of demand forecasting, inventory management, Lean Manufacturing, and Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) concepts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to analyze historical sales, inventory, and planning data.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with a strong commitment to follow-through and meet deadlines.
• Experience coaching or mentoring others and participating in production planning or S&OP meetings.

License or Certificate

• CPIM preferred