Production Planning Analyst - VON

Clear Destination Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

JTEKT North America in Tennessee seeks a Production Planning Analyst to support the Production Control team, ensuring timely materials for schedules and customer requirements.

You will manage supplier expedites, coordinate material flow, monitor delivery schedules, and help maintain inventory accuracy.

The role emphasizes TPS/Lean practices like Kanban and Heijunka, with collaboration across maintenance, engineering, and manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of JIT, Kanban, and Heijunka systems
• Strong PC skills with Excel and Word
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Self-motivated with organizational and analytical abilities
• Ability to work in a participative environment and drive results
• Basic knowledge of quality, health, safety, and environmental systems
• Experience with Oracle is a plus

Responsibilities

• Interpret customers' forecast and create master Schedule to drive MRP
• Monitor conformance to Production Control production plans
• Monitor current inventory and customer requirements to create weekly plan for Manufacturing
• Make necessary adjustments to production schedules when line issues or other factors dictate
• Maintain Heijunka post, Yarjaimi and daily manufacturing schedule
• Assist with setting of maintenance, engineering, and other priorities to assure customer schedules are met
• Provide direction and support of Control Stores, Receiving, Shipping and all other Production Controls Department to support manufacturing requirements
• Act as Customer PC contact and coordinate schedule change request and other communication as necessary
• Monitor F.G. inventory and elevate variances as it is found
• Monitor, support and improve TPS activities with particular emphasis on Kanban / Heijunka systems
• Monitor and report inventory levels of work-in-process (WIP) and finished goods (FG)
• Work to identify and resolve issues which may adversely impact inventory accuracy
• Provide effective liaison/communication to management regarding shift activity
• Material Requirement Planning, as assigned.
• Track ECI changes for assigned value stream.
• Attend APQP meetings, as required for assigned value stream.
• Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

JIT systems

Kanban

Heijunka

Excel

Word

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Oracle experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or engineering

Job description

About JTEKT North America

JTEKT North America is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools. Our vision is to be the preferred choice for our customers, associates, suppliers, and local communities. At JTEKT, we believe in building value that exceeds customer expectations, creating exceptional products that make an impact around the world, and developing professionals who think and act autonomously. If you share our commitment to excellence, teamwork, continuous improvement, and personal growth, we invite you to find your place in the JTEKT community.

Join Our Team

We have an exciting opportunity at our Vonore, Tennessee manufacturing facility for a Production Planning Analyst. This position plays an important role in supporting production and ensuring materials are available when and where they are needed. If you enjoy a fast-paced manufacturing environment, thrive on solving problems, and want an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we would like to hear from you.

Position Summary

The Production Planning Analyst supports the Production Control department in maintaining the timely flow and availability of materials needed to meet production schedules and customer requirements. The primary focus of this position is managing supplier expedites, coordinating material flow to and from suppliers, monitoring delivery schedules, and resolving material shortages or delays. This role also supports inventory accuracy and raw material planning to help ensure uninterrupted production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Interpret customers' forecast and create master Schedule to drive MRP

• Monitor conformance to Production Control production plans
• Monitor current inventory and customer requirements to create weekly plan for Manufacturing.
• Make necessary adjustments to production schedules when line issues or other factors dictate
• Maintain Heijunka post, Yarjaimi and daily manufacturing schedule.
• Assist with setting of maintenance, engineering, and other priorities to assure customer schedules are met
• Provide direction and support of Control Stores, Receiving, Shipping and all other Production Controls Department to support manufacturing requirements
• Act as Customer PC contact and coordinate schedule change request and other communication as necessary
• Monitor F.G. inventory and elevate variances as it is found
• Monitor, support and improve TPS activities with particular emphasis on Kanban / Heijunka systems
• Monitor and report inventory levels of work-in-process (WIP) and finished goods (FG)
• Work to identify and resolve issues which may adversely impact inventory accuracy
• Provide effective liaison/communication to management regarding shift activity
• Material Requirement Planning, as assigned.
• Track ECI changes for assigned value stream.
• Attend APQP meetings, as required for assigned value stream.
• Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of JIT, Kanban, and Heijunka systems
• Strong PC skills, including proficiency with Excel, Word
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Must be self-motivated, possess excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a participative management environment and maintain a drive for accomplishment of responsibilities
• Basic knowledge of applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems
• Experience with Oracle is a plus

The above may be waived by the department Manager and the Human Resources Manager if the candidate is otherwise qualified.

Education and Experience

• Associate or Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in business or engineering or equivalent experience

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position may require the ability to:

• Sit for extended periods with intermittent walking.
• Perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, including typing, writing, filing, sorting, stapling, and collating.
• Communicate effectively with individuals in person and by telephone.
• Visually read reports, computer screens, and other written materials.
• Work a minimum of 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.
• Work overtime, weekends, and/or after-hours as business needs require.

Equal Employment Opportunity

JTEKT is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and affirmative action to all qualified individuals. All personnel actions, including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion, are administered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by applicable law.