Production Planning Analyst

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Performance bonuses

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Production Planning Analyst to optimize schedules, manage inventory, and allocate resources across our client’s operations near East London, Eastern Cape.

You will forecast demand, develop short- and long-term production plans, and partner with operations, supply chain, and logistics to meet market needs while minimizing costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 4+ years in production planning, scheduling, or inventory management.
• Experience in oil & gas or manufacturing preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and planning software.
• Strong analytical and forecasting skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules and plans.
• Forecast demand based on historical data, trends, and sales input.
• Manage inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
• Coordinate with operations teams to ensure timely execution of plans.
• Analyze production performance metrics and deviations from plan.
• Recommend adjustments to schedules to optimize efficiency and resource use.
• Collaborate with supply chain and logistics for smooth material flow.
• Prepare regular reports on production performance and forecast accuracy.
• Identify and implement process improvements in planning and scheduling.
• Liaise with sales and marketing to understand customer requirements.

Skills

Forecasting

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle)

Inventory management

Excel

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration

Tools

SAP

Oracle

APS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the oil and gas value chain, is seeking a Production Planning Analyst to join their team near East London, Eastern Cape. This role is crucial for optimizing production schedules, managing inventory levels, and ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet market demands. You will be responsible for developing short-term and long-term production plans, analyzing production data, and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, excellent forecasting skills, and proficiency with planning and inventory management software. You will collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, sales, and logistics teams to align production activities with business objectives. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the smooth and efficient operation of the company's production facilities. The Production Planning Analyst will play a key role in forecasting demand, setting production targets, and monitoring performance against plan. This role demands strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively across different departments. You will be instrumental in ensuring timely delivery of products while minimizing costs and waste.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules and plans.
• Forecast demand for products based on historical data, market trends, and sales input.
• Manage inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
• Coordinate with operations teams to ensure timely execution of production plans.
• Analyze production performance metrics and identify deviations from plan.
• Recommend adjustments to production schedules to optimize efficiency and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with supply chain and logistics to ensure smooth material flow and product delivery.
• Prepare regular reports on production performance, inventory status, and forecast accuracy.
• Identify and implement process improvements in planning and scheduling activities.
• Liaise with sales and marketing teams to understand customer requirements and market dynamics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or inventory management, preferably in the oil and gas or manufacturing sector.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and planning software (e.g., APS).
• Strong analytical, forecasting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Detail-oriented with a strong understanding of production processes.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles is a plus.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive medical aid
• retirement fund contributions
• life insurance
• annual performance bonuses
• opportunities for professional development, including advanced training courses and certifications
• collaborative work environment with a hybrid work model that provides flexibility
• stable and growing organization where your contributions to operational efficiency are highly valued
• commitment to employee well-being and professional growth