Production Planner

Cognesense; Hillside (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognesense in the United States is seeking a Supply Chain Planner to support demand forecasting, master scheduling, and production planning across multiple facilities. You will collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Inventory to align forecasts with business goals and to ensure on-time delivery.

Responsibilities include building accurate forecasts, generating MPS, managing lead times, and maintaining data in Dynamics 365.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in demand planning, master scheduling, or production planning.
• Strong knowledge of S&OP processes.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably Dynamics 365.
• Working knowledge of MRP concepts.
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate demand forecasts based on sales pipeline and trends.
• Create and maintain master production schedules across facilities.
• Balance supply and demand to optimize production efficiency.
• Monitor lead times and track on-time delivery metrics.
• Execute planning activities in Dynamics 365 and maintain master data.
• Coordinate cross-functional planning with Sales, Inventory, Procurement, and Manufacturing.

Skills

Demand forecasting

Master scheduling

Production planning

S&OP

Data analysis

Excel

Education

APICS CSCP

APICS CPIM

Tools

Dynamics 365

ERP systems

MRP

APS

Job description

Support manufacturing planning and scheduling operations for U.S. brands by developing accurate demand forecasts, optimizing production schedules, managing lead times, and ensuring seamless coordination between sales, operations, and inventory to drive on-time delivery and operational efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Demand Forecasting & Sales Planning

• Develop accurate demand forecasts based on sales pipeline, historical trends, and market analysis
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to align forecasts with business objectives
• Monitor and adjust forecasts based on customer orders and market conditions
• Prepare monthly demand plans and rolling forecasts
• Support new product introductions and demand planning for specialty products

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Master Scheduling & Production Planning

• Create and maintain master production schedules (MPS) for all manufacturing facilities
• Balance supply and demand while optimizing production efficiency
• Coordinate production schedules across multiple product lines and facilities
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts and capacity constraints
• Generate MRP (Material Requirements Planning) runs and manage schedule changes
• Support just-in-time (JIT) production where applicable

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Lead Time & On-Time Delivery Management

• Monitor and optimize product lead times in coordination with Inventory Manager
• Track on-time delivery metrics and identify improvement opportunities
• Analyze and reduce manufacturing and procurement lead times
• Manage customer delivery commitments and communicate realistic timelines
• Support expedited orders while maintaining schedule integrity
• Create reports on schedule adherence and delivery performance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Systems Management & Process Execution

• Execute planning and scheduling activities in Dynamics 365
• Maintain accurate master data including BOMs, lead times, and routings
• Generate planning reports, schedules, and KPI dashboards
• Troubleshoot system issues and coordinate with IT support as needed
• Follow and adhere to standard operating procedures and work instructions

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Cross-Functional Supply Chain Coordination

• Work closely with Inventory Manager on material availability and safety stock levels
• Coordinate with Procurement on purchase orders and supplier scheduling
• Communicate with Manufacturing on production feasibility and capacity
• Support Sales with realistic delivery dates and order promising
• Attend daily/weekly production meetings and planning sessions
• Document planning decisions and maintain audit trail of schedule changes
• Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy and scheduling efficiency
• Support process standardization and documentation initiatives
• Participate in ISO compliance activities and internal audits
• Monitor industry best practices and recommend process improvements
• Support initiatives to reduce lead times and improve customer satisfaction
• Contribute to supply chain optimization projects and special initiatives

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Analysis, Reporting & Communication

• Prepare daily/weekly schedule status reports and KPI summaries
• Perform variance analysis on schedule performance and forecast accuracy
• Create visualizations and dashboards for planning metrics
• Communicate scheduling changes and delivery impacts to relevant stakeholders
• Maintain detailed records of planning assumptions and decisions
• Present planning insights to management and cross-functional teams

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of experience in demand planning, master scheduling, or production planning
• Strong knowledge of S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) processes
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably Dynamics 365 or similar platforms
• Working knowledge of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) concepts
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain principles
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or APICS CPIM certification
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial products
• Familiarity with ERP platforms
• Experience with advanced planning systems (APS)
• Knowledge of lean or continuous improvement methodologies