Production Planner

DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC); Sycamore (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Education reimbursement

Wellness programs

401k with company match

Cash balance pension plan

Paid time off

Job summary

IDEAL Industries, Inc. is seeking a Production Planner to develop and optimize the Master Production Schedule using our ERP system, supporting demand, capacity, and inventory objectives.

You will bridge demand planning and manufacturing execution, ensuring achievable schedules and alignment with business priorities. The role requires experience in production planning, ERP/MRP, and data-driven decision making, with a focus on accuracy and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• HS degree and at least 1 year of manufacturing experience.
• ERP/MRP/MPS experience required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Power BI experience preferred.
• APICS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize a Master Production Schedule (MPS) aligned with demand, capacity, and inventory goals.
• Translate forecasts and customer requirements into actionable production and supply plans.
• Monitor schedule adherence and adjust plans for capacity constraints and shortages.
• Lead scheduling reviews with production, operations, and supply chain teams.
• Utilize ERP to manage MPS, MRP, and supply planning activities.
• Ensure BOMs, routings, lead times, and inventory data are accurate.
• Configure ERP planning parameters (safety stock, lead times, reorder points, etc.).
• Collaborate with Production, Procurement, Sales, and Engineering to align plans.
• Support S&OP and IBP with scheduling and capacity insights.
• Report KPIs like on-time delivery, turns, and forecast accuracy.
• Identify root causes and lead corrective actions for planning gaps.
• Maintain a safe work environment and contribute to process improvements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Production planning

Master scheduling

Capacity planning

Inventory management

Demand planning

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

APICS CPIM/CSCP or equivalent certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 SCM

Job description

IDEAL Industries, Inc. has built a reputation for over a century by crafting iconic tools and practical technology required in aerospace, data communications, electrical, wire processing and construction. The global family of IDEAL brands includes IDEAL Electrical, Anderson Power, and Enatel.

A vibrant and dynamic company, IDEAL is best known for our wire connectors, the gold standard for making electrical connections around the world. Nearly every commercial jet is assembled using IDEAL wire strippers and, as part of the critical equipment on NASA missions, our tools even help NASA astronauts fly to the moon. Most important, our products benefit skilled tradespeople, who reach for IDEAL tools every day.

IDEAL is propelled by the concept of Building an IDEAL World. Our family-run business is committed to building ideal relationships with customers, employees, and communities by crafting some of our industry’s most innovative and trusted tools.

The Production Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing the Master Production Schedule (MPS) within the organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to support customer demand, production capacity, inventory objectives, and overall operational performance. This position serves as a critical link between demand planning and manufacturing execution, ensuring that production schedules are achievable, aligned with business priorities, and responsive to changing conditions.

Work Schedule:

This position typically requires 40-50 hours per week, with a standard start time of 6:30 a.m. Flexibility to work occasional Saturdays may be required based on production needs, business demands, and operational priorities.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, maintain, and continuously optimize a feasible, capacity-aligned Master Production Schedule (MPS) that supports customer demand, forecasts, inventory strategies, and production capabilities.
• Translate demand forecasts and customer requirements into actionable production and supply plans.
• Monitor schedule adherence and proactively adjust plans to address capacity constraints, material shortages, demand fluctuations, and other operational risks.
• Facilitate daily and weekly scheduling reviews with production, operations, and supply chain teams.
• Utilize ERP systems to execute and manage Master Production Scheduling, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and supply planning activities.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of planning data, including bills of material (BOMs), routings, lead times, inventory settings, and demand inputs.
• Configure, maintain, and optimize key planning parameters within the ERP environment, including safety stock levels, lead times, order policies, reorder points, coverage groups, replenishment strategies, forecast models, and consumption settings.
• Partner with Production, Procurement, Sales, Customer Service, Engineering, and Operations teams to align supply plans with business objectives.
• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes by providing schedule, inventory, and capacity insights.
• Monitor and report key planning and operational performance indicators, including schedule attainment, on-time delivery, inventory levels and turns, capacity utilization, and forecast accuracy.
• Identify root causes of performance gaps and lead corrective action initiatives focused on planning efficiency, inventory optimization, ERP utilization, and operational effectiveness.
• Actively engage in responsibilities and initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.
• Comply with and contribute to the continuous improvement of company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented workplace, which may include other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• Leverage Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to support planning, scheduling, and inventory management processes when applicable.
• Collaborate with Information Technology, business systems, and operational stakeholders to troubleshoot system issues and implement enhancements.
• Participate in the implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of D365 planning modules, including Master Planning and Demand Forecasting.
• Support user training, process standardization, and adoption of best practices within the D365 environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of production planning, master scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, demand planning, and manufacturing operations.
• Proven ERP and systems proficiency, including experience with MPS, MRP, production scheduling, planning outputs, exception messages, and system recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and optimize ERP planning parameters such as safety stock, lead times, lot-sizing rules, reorder points, coverage groups, and replenishment strategies.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, organizational, decision-making, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to communicate schedule risks, constraints, mitigation plans, and data-driven recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, process improvement, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners under changing business conditions.

Qualifications

• H.S. degree and a minimum of one-year relevant experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience in production planning, master scheduling, manufacturing planning, or supply chain planning highly preferred.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems for MPS, MRP, and production scheduling activities required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business reporting tools required.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (D365 SCM) preferred.
• APICS/ASCM certification, including CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent professional designation preferred.
• Experience in discrete or process manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience utilizing Power BI or similar business intelligence and analytics platforms preferred.

The expected hourly pay rate for this position is between $21.72 and $29.21 and may be eligible for incentive pay. This range represents a good faith estimate for the position and actual compensation will be based on numerous factors including knowledge, location, skills, training and experience.

IDEAL employees enjoy a wide range of valuable benefits including medical, dental & vision insurance, education reimbursement and wellness programs. To help meet your retirement needs, we offer a 401k with company match and a cash balance pension plan. IDEAL values rest, personal time and community involvement facilitating these through several paid time off programs including vacation and personal days, volunteer time, holidays and parental leave.

IDEAL Industries, Inc. is proud to be one of Newsweek's Global Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We know that it is our people that truly separate us from the competition. To learn more about us, visit www.idealindustries.com