Planning Analyst I

Task Force Tips; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Task Force Tips, LLC. (TFT) is seeking a Planning Analyst I in Valparaiso, IN to support manufacturing by ensuring materials and resources are available to keep production moving and orders on schedule.

The ideal candidate will analyze inventory data, coordinate with Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, and Finishing teams, and partner with Sales and Planning to balance demand with capacity. Growth opportunities exist in a hands-on planning role and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of Production Control, Planning, or Scheduling experience preferred, but not required.
• Ability to query and analyze large amounts of inventory, sales, and other operational data to make long-range forecasts.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, Power Query, etc.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as Kanban and Heijunka is a plus.
• Detail-oriented, professional, responsive, resourceful, flexible, and well-organized.
• Strong bias for action with the ability to be self-motivated and effectively manage time and priorities.
• Ability to promote positive working relationships with teammates and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with employees throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

• Review, initiate, firm, and release job orders for production activities in Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, Finishing, or as assigned by Planning and Inventory Manager.
• Review shortage report each morning to identify parts needed and communicate with managers to reprioritize schedules.
• Work with Order Entry to provide custom ship dates by BOMs and available capacity.
• Support Supply Chain with review of material constraints and issuance of purchase orders.
• Liaise with Sales, Supply Chain, and Production Managers to expedite or adjust schedules.
• Conduct weekly/monthly Kanban audits and retrain personnel on Kanban process.
• Establish reorder points, safety stock, fulfillment quantities, and inventory optimization parameters.
• Support Epicor Fulfillment and Material Flow implementations.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements in inventory flow.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Inventory analysis

Data-driven decision making

Excel

Tableau

Power BI

Lean Manufacturing Kanban

Cross-functional communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field

Associate’s degree with relevant work experience

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Turn Data Into Action. Keep Production Moving.

Task Force Tips, LLC. (TFT) is an established manufacturer of firefighting equipment based in Valparaiso, IN. Our continuous improvement process ensures we help first responders save lives and protect property more safely and effectively than the day before.

We are searching for a Planning Analyst I to support our manufacturing operations by helping ensure the right materials and resources are available at the right time to keep production moving and customer orders on schedule.

Our desired team member should be goal-driven, have integrity and grit, and have a passion for putting lifesaving equipment in the hands of our first responders. If you enjoy working with data, coordinating across teams, solving problems, and seeing your decisions have a direct impact on manufacturing operations, this could be a great opportunity for you.

Our Culture is Contagious! Come grow with us and be part of the TFT Proud Culture! Be a part of saving lives and protecting property by putting life-saving products in the hands of our first responders!

View our video: TFT, a Firefighter Legacy

What You’ll Do

• Review, initiate, firm, and release job orders for production activities in Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, and Finishing departments, or as assigned by the Planning and Inventory Manager.

• Review the shortage report each morning to proactively identify parts needed for upcoming orders in Assembly, CNC, Anodizing, and Finishing areas, and communicate with appropriate managers to help reprioritize daily schedules.

• Work with Order Entry to provide custom ship dates on spike orders by referencing bills of materials to identify long lead-time items and reviewing on-hand inventory and available capacity.

• Support the Supply Chain team with the review of material constraints and issuance of purchase orders to support customer demand.

• Liaise with Sales, Supply Chain, and Production Managers as required to make decisions on expedites and other circumstances that may require a change in schedule.

• Conduct weekly/monthly Kanban audits, replace missing cards, and retrain personnel who may be deviating from TFT’s Kanban process.

• Support the Planning and Inventory Manager in determining and establishing reorder points, safety stock, fulfillment quantities, and other parameters to continuously optimize inventory levels of TFT-manufactured parts.

• Support the implementation of Epicor Fulfillment and Material Flow as assigned by the Planning and Inventory Manager.

• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements in inventory flow.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field; or an Associate’s degree combined with relevant work experience.

• 1–2 years of Production Control, Planning, or Scheduling experience preferred, but not required.

• Ability to query and analyze large amounts of inventory, sales, and other operational data to make long-range forecasts of material requirements.

• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, Power Query, and similar functions.

• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is preferred.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as Kanban and Heijunka is a plus.

• Detail-oriented, professional, responsive, resourceful, flexible, and well-organized.

• Strong bias for action with the ability to be self-motivated and effectively manage time and priorities.

• Ability to promote positive working relationships with teammates and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with employees throughout the organization.

Make an Impact at TFT

Our customers depend on TFT products being available when they need them. As a Planning Analyst I , your work directly supports that commitment. You’ll help connect customer demand with production capacity, inventory, and material availability, giving you the opportunity to make a visible impact across the organization.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys turning data into decisions, solving operational challenges, and working collaboratively across departments. You’ll gain hands-on experience in manufacturing planning, inventory management, production scheduling, and supply chain while contributing to a mission that directly impacts first responders around the world.

Join TFT and help us keep production moving, improve the way we work, and put lifesaving equipment in the hands of those who need it most.