Operations Planner

MIRATECH; Prior Lake (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Program

$350 Annual Wellness Credit

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

401k with match up to 5%

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation and Sick Time

$350 Production Reimbursement Program

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Prior Lake is seeking an Operations Planner to develop actionable production plans based on customer demand. This role involves managing production backlog, coordinating with various departments to ensure smooth operations, and improving overall plant efficiency. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in planning and a preferred background in metal fabrication or discrete manufacturing. This position offers a range of benefits including an annual bonus, wellness credit, and 401k match.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or production coordination.
• Experience working in a metal fabrication, welding, or discrete manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer demand into a production plan for the Prior Lake facility.
• Maintain visibility of production backlog and develop planning reports.
• Coordinate with Production Manager to prioritize work based on commitments.
• Monitor backlog timing and ensure commitments are met.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems (SYSPRO a plus)

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

The Operations Planner is responsible for translating customer demand and backlog into an executable production plan for the Prior Lake facility. This role provides visibility into plant capacity, manages OEM hold programs, and works collaboratively with the Production Manager and supervisors to ensure work flows through the plant in the correct sequence to meet customer commitments. The Operations Planner maintains visibility into backlog planning, coordinates production priorities, and supports operational planning discipline to improve throughput, on-time delivery, and overall plant efficiency.

What You'll Do:

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Maintain visibility of production backlog and develop planning reports to support operational decision making.
• Coordinate with the Production Manager to prioritize and sequence work based on customer commitments, plant capacity, and operational constraints.
• Maintain a rolling 4-8 week production outlook for the shop floor while maintaining longer-term visibility of demand.
• Support coordination of job releases to the shop floor in collaboration with administrative support personnel.
• Manage customer contractual obligations and coordinate the appropriate release of work into production.
• Monitor backlog timing to ensure customer commitments and hold requirements are respected.
• Communicate backlog status and schedule changes to plant leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Assist with plant balancing considerations when demand exceeds local capacity.
• Provide operational planning visibility to support coordination with other MIRATECH facilities when needed.

Capacity Planning & Operational Visibility

• Maintain visibility into plant capacity and identify potential bottlenecks or resource constraints.
• Provide planning insight to support staffing, scheduling, and operational decisions.
• Work with Production and Plant Leadership to ensure the plant has an executable plan aligned with customer delivery commitments.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Production Managers and Supervisors to communicate schedule priorities and production sequencing.
• Coordinate with Sales / Customer Service to understand customer commitments and delivery expectations.
• Work with Sales / Customer Service in regard to changes in customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, and Inventory Management to ensure jobs are ready for production.
• Support Shipping and Logistics teams to ensure alignment between production completion and shipment timing.
• Identify opportunities to improve production planning discipline and operational visibility.
• Assist plant leadership in identifying process improvements that support throughput, scheduling stability, and on-time delivery.
• Participate in initiatives that improve how production planning information is communicated and utilized within the plant.

How To Qualify:

• Education & Experience: High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field preferred, with 5+ years of experience in manufacturing planning, scheduling, or production coordination.
• Manufacturing Environment: Experience working in a metal fabrication, welding, or discrete manufacturing environment preferred.
• Systems & Tools: Experience using ERP systems (SYSPRO a plus) and strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office applications.
• Skills & Collaboration: Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, collaborate with shop floor and cross-functional teams, and influence operational decisions.

Personal Characteristics

• Strong organizational discipline
• Operational awareness of manufacturing environments
• Ability to balance priorities in a dynamic job-shop environment
• Collaborative leadership and communication

Benefits and Perks:

• Annual Bonus Program
• $350 Annual Wellness Credit
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k with match up to 5%
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• $350 Production Reimbursement Program

Equal Opportunity: MIRATECH is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regards to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations.