The Planner Manager is responsible for overseeing planning and customer order management activities to ensure efficient production, on-time delivery, and exceptional customer service. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers and the company while managing the planning functions from purchase order receipt through production completion and shipment.
The Planning Manager collaborates with cross-functional departments including Operations, Production, Purchasing, Quality Control, Research & Development, Shipping & Receiving, and Accounting to ensure customer requirements are met while optimizing production schedules, inventory levels, and manifesting resources. This position requires strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and communication skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the Planning department to ensure efficient workflow and timely execution of customer orders.
- Oversee customer purchase orders and ensure accurate entry into the ERP system.
- Oversee Bills of Materials (BOMs) for customer products.
- Monitor production progress and proactively resolve scheduling conflicts of delays.
- Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure raw materials and components are available to support production schedules.
- Oversee inventory planning and component availability to minimize shortages and excess inventory.
- Manage customer communications regarding order status, lead times, schedule changes, forecasts, inventory levels, and product availability.
- Attend quarterly business reviews with customers.
- Join weekly customer meetings and internal planning meetings to review production status, priorities, and project timelines.
- Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Quality Control, Purchasing, Warehouse and Accounting to ensure seamless execution of customer orders.
- Review and maintain product pricing information in coordination with management.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures for planning.
- Train, mentor, and evaluate planning personnel while promoting teamwork and continuous improvement.
- Support new product launches and production transitions through effective planning and coordination.
- Provide quarterly capacity models to customers.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, safety requirements, and work Procedures.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by executive management.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of planning, scheduling, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or management experience preferred.
- Stronge understanding of manufacturing process, production scheduling, inventory management, and materials planning.
- Excellent analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
- Stonge verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build positive customer and internal relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop employees.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 20 Pounds
- Ability to perform work with minimal supervision while maintaining attention to detail.