Senior Production Planning Engineer - East London

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Production Planning Engineer in East London, South Africa, to optimize manufacturing schedules, allocate resources, and drive continuous improvement across operations. The role involves close collaboration with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to ensure on-time delivery and maximum efficiency.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in lean manufacturing, ERP/APS systems, and data analysis, with experience in aerospace/automotive environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or operations in manufacturing.
• Experience with SAP/Oracle and APS software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage production plans and schedules to meet demand.
• Analyze capacity, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and QA to align plans.
• Use APS and ERP to optimize flow and resources.
• Monitor performance and implement corrective actions.
• Apply lean methods (JIT, Kanban) to reduce waste.
• Develop KPIs and train junior planners.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and quality standards in planning.

Skills

Production planning

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

ERP systems

APS software

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Hybrid work coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP

Oracle

APS software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the automotive and aerospace manufacturing supply chain, is seeking an experienced Senior Production Planning Engineer to join their facility in East London, Eastern Cape. This role is critical for optimizing manufacturing operations, ensuring efficient scheduling, resource allocation, and timely delivery of components. You will be responsible for developing and implementing production plans, analyzing capacity, and collaborating with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to achieve operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in production management, lean manufacturing principles, and advanced planning systems. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant manufacturing projects within the East London industrial hub. Our client is dedicated to operational efficiency and continuous improvement, making East London a strategic location for impactful production planning in South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive production plans and schedules to meet demand forecasts and customer requirements.
• Analyze production capacity, identify bottlenecks, and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Collaborate with supply chain and logistics teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components.
• Work closely with engineering and quality departments to integrate new product introductions and manage design changes into production plans.
• Utilize advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software and ERP systems to optimize production flow and resource utilization.
• Monitor production performance against plans, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Just-In-Time, Kanban) to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production planning and execution.
• Provide training and guidance to junior planners and support staff.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards in all planning activities.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or operations management within a manufacturing environment, preferably in aerospace or automotive.
• Proven experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) software.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing methodologies and continuous improvement tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote analysis with on-site coordination in East London.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa and reside in or be willing to relocate to the East London area.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement. This hybrid role provides flexibility while ensuring close collaboration with the operations team in East London, Eastern Cape. You will have the chance to work on impactful projects that drive manufacturing efficiency and contribute to the local economy.