Production Planner

Ahlstrom; Windsor Locks (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom in Windsor Locks, CT is seeking a Production Planner to develop and maintain production plans for paper machines and converting equipment. You will balance customer demand, inventory levels, and material availability while coordinating with Operations, Customer Service, Procurement, andQuality to ensure reliable plan execution.

Responsibilities include creating short- and medium-term plans, optimizing schedules for asset utilization, managing intercompany purchases, and providing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business or Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 2 years experience in a professional production planning / supply chain environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short- and medium-term production plans based on demand, forecasts, inventory targets, material availability, equipment capacity, and customer priorities.
• Coordinate manufacturing schedules and production priorities to optimize equipment utilization while meeting customer delivery commitment and adjusting plans based on demand and operational constraints.
• Communicate production schedules, converting priorities, risks, and changes to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Optimize machine and converting equipment deckles, sequencing, and campaign planning to improve asset utilization.
• Monitor inventory levels and material requirements to support production and customer demand.
• Create and manage intercompany purchase orders and replenishment requests for materials sourced from sister sites.
• Use ERP system and planning tools to monitor requirements, generate purchase cases, support PO creation and follow-up, and maintain planning master data.
• Calculate appropriate quantities and replenishment timing to minimize cost and inventory exposure while maintaining service and production continuity.
• Use data, reports, and performance indicators to support planning decisions and continuous improvement; leverage digital/AI-enabled tools as decision-support with human validation.
• Lead or participate in Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement activities focused on planning accuracy, inventory optimization, and service performance.
• Ensure timely response to Corrective Action Requests and contribute to root-cause analysis for planning or material issues.
• Participate in cross-functional teams and promote collaborative problem solving, transparency, and accountability.
• Act as a qualified trainer in areas of expertise and support knowledge sharing within the team.
• Perform other related projects and duties as assigned.

Skills

Digital literacy

Communication

Planning and prioritization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business or Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Planning software / ERP reports

Job description

Responsible for developing and maintaining production plans for Windsor Locks manufacturing operations, including scheduling of paper machines and related converting equipment. The role balances customer demand, production efficiency, inventory levels, material availability, and service expectations across relevant customer and market segments. The Production Planner coordinates production activities, material availability, and intercompany purchases, while closely collaborating with Operations, Customer Service, Product Development, Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure reliable execution of the plan.

Main responsibility areas

• Develop and maintain short- and medium-term production plans based on demand, forecasts, inventory targets, material availability, equipment capacity, and customer priorities.
• Coordinate manufacturing schedules and production priorities to optimize equipment utilization while meeting customer delivery commitment and adjusting plans based on demand and operational constraints.
• Communicate production schedules, converting priorities, risks, and changes in a timely manner to Customer Service, Operations, Procurement, and other stakeholders.
• Optimize machine and converting equipment deckles, sequencing, and campaign planning to improve asset utilization while supporting customer commitments.
• Monitor inventory levels and material requirements to support production and customer demand.
• Create and manage intercompany purchase orders and replenishment requests for materials sourced from Ahlstrom sister sites.
• Use ERP system and planning tools to monitor requirements, generate purchase cases, support purchase order creation and follow-up, and maintain accurate planning master data.
• Calculate appropriate quantities and replenishment timing to minimize cost and inventory exposure while maintaining service and production continuity.
• Use data, reports, and performance indicators to support planning decisions and continuous improvement; where available, leverage digital and AI-enabled tools as decision-support aids while applying sound professional judgment.
• Lead or participate in Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement activities focused on planning accuracy, process discipline, inventory optimization, and service performance.
• Ensure timely response to Corrective Action Requests within area of responsibility and contribute to root-cause analysis where planning or material availability is involved.
• Participate actively in cross-functional teams and promote collaborative problem solving, transparency, and accountability.
• Act as a qualified trainer in areas of expertise and support knowledge sharing within the team.
• Perform other related projects and duties as assigned.

Communication

(position’s responsibility for communications both within and outside the organization)

Internally

Regular interaction with Operations, Customer Service, Sales, Product Development, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Warehouse, Maintenance, and site leadership to align production plans, material availability, customer priorities, inventory targets, and issue resolution.

Externally

Regular interaction with sister plants to follow up on purchase cases, material availability, delivery performance, documentation, and supply related issue resolution. Regular interaction with customers to support needs and management of scheduling priorities.

Experience And Education

(minimum level of knowledge and skills to fulfill one’s responsibilities)

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business or Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 2 years experience in a professional production planning / supply chain environment is preferred.

Required Competencies

• Strong digital literacy, including confident use of Microsoft Office tools, ERP systems, planning reports, and data analysis to support decision making.
• ERP system experience required;
• Ability to interpret demand, capacity, and inventory and translate it into practical planning decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work with changing conditions, and make balanced decisions under time pressure.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain planning decisions, risks, and trade-offs to different stakeholders.
• Continuous improvement mindset, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to work collaboratively across functions.
• Basic awareness of responsible use of digital and AI-enabled tools, including data accuracy, confidentiality, and human validation of recommendations.
• Responsibility for protecting information when handling data, using information systems, or accessing information networks.

Preferred Competencies (not Required)

• Working knowledge of nonwoven machine and converting equipment capabilities, including slitting, sheeting, micrexing, coating, and related processes, is desirable.
• MRP planning experience preferred.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at