Senior Production Planner | Demand & Schedule Optimizer

Nidec Drives; Mankato (MN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec Drives is seeking an experienced Senior Production Planner for the Mankato, MN site. The role focuses on aligning demand, supply, inventory, and manufacturing schedules to ensure work orders are ready and disruptions are minimized.

You will drive schedule adherence, optimize resource use, and collaborate across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Customer Service to balance priorities and improve operational efficiency. First shift, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in the planning field and knowledge of the principles and practices of planning.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• 2+ years of Oracle experience preferred.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with ERP, MRP, and production planning systems.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed planning decisions.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex planning scenarios with minimal supervision.
• Able to export/download data from ERP system and manipulate it in spreadsheet fashion utilizing Filtering, X-Lookup, Pivot Tables, etc.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production plans that balance customer demand, inventory targets, capacity constraints, and material availability.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Customer Service teams to ensure alignment of production priorities.
• Analyze demand and supply changes, evaluate impacts to production schedules, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor work order availability, material shortages, and capacity constraints to proactively prevent production interruptions.
• Drive schedule adherence and support continuous improvements in planning processes, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Utilize planning and ERP systems to manage production requirements, maintain data accuracy, and support decision-making.
• Investigate and resolve complex planning issues while providing recommendations to improve workflow and business performance.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives through effective management of production schedules and material requirements.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for production planning processes, systems, and best practices.
• Maintain planning metrics and scorecards.
• Monitor on-time delivery, schedule attainment, work order completion, shortage performance, and inventory health.
• Support strategic initiatives focused on operational excellence and manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

Planning experience

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Data interpretation

Problem-solving

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Oracle

ERP systems

MRP

Job description

Nidec Drives is seeking an experienced Senior Production Planner for the Mankato, MN site. The role focuses on aligning demand, supply, inventory, and manufacturing schedules to ensure work orders are ready and disruptions are minimized.

You will drive schedule adherence, optimize resource use, and collaborate across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Customer Service to balance priorities and improve operational efficiency. First shift, Monday to Friday.