Sr. Production Planner Job

Arkema; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkema in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a seasoned Production Planner to manage manufacturing orders, raw materials, and inventory accuracy within SAP-driven processes. You will partner with Purchasing, Plant Operations, Logistics, and Customer Service to optimize supply, schedule production, and ensure on-time delivery.

The role requires at least 5 years in planning manufacturing operations, strong materials management knowledge, and APICS/SAP experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in planning manufacturing operations.
• Proficient in materials management, supplier quality and performance requirements, understanding of production processes, and S&OP.

Responsibilities

• Review and resolve daily MRP exception messages to address planning and supply issues.
• Perform exception-based planning considering new volumes, product scale-ups, capacity, and asset use.
• Create and sequence production orders by reactor grade and train, optimizing schedules in SAP.
• Maintain demand forecasts by removing outdated data.
• Manage the full lifecycle of production orders ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Release and manage raw material requisitions daily to meet demand and inventory targets.
• Communicate delays from late raw material deliveries to Customer Service and Buyers.
• Set and communicate raw material safety stock levels.
• Monitor raw material supply after production or demand changes.
• Enter supplier non-conformance reports and confirm missed deliveries.
• Manage B2B and specialty workflow orders.
• Participate in S&OP.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Plant Operations, Logistics, and Customer Service to optimize supply chain and prioritize production.
• Provide monthly inventory and cost accuracy reports to relevant teams.
• Lead investigations to resolve inventory discrepancies and prevent reoccurrence.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly inventory transactions to maintain accuracy year-round.
• Conduct monthly physical counts and reconciliations of raw materials and toted materials; increase frequency if discrepancies arise.
• Support audits, stock takes, and compliance activities (SOX, corporate audits).
• Collaborate with Process Engineering and Logistics to maintain accurate BOMs, routings, buffer stocks, and production data.
• Report slow-moving inventory monthly.
• Support ERP system transactions and resolve issues with blocked, quarantined, or non-standard inventory and production orders.
• Review and clean Stock Transport Orders daily and close production orders in SAP twice weekly to maintain accurate MRP data.
• Investigate and report significant inventory adjustments and troubleshoot data errors.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

BS Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities with % Breakdown

Identify the major activities or responsibilities of the job (usually 4 to 6). Using a short phrase name or list each activity; estimate the percentage of time spent on each one. Then describe each activity in detail, and how it is done. Use increments of 10% and higher.

Production Order Management – 30%

• Review and resolve daily MRP exception messages to address planning and supply issues.
• Perform exception-based planning considering new volumes, product scale-ups, capacity, and asset use.
• Create and sequence production orders by reactor grade and train, optimizing schedules in SAP.
• Maintain demand forecasts by removing outdated data.
• Manage the full lifecycle of production orders ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Raw Material Management – 30%

• Release and manage raw material requisitions daily to meet demand and inventory targets.
• Communicate delays from late raw material deliveries to Customer Service and Buyers.
• Set and communicate raw material safety stock levels.
• Monitor raw material supply after production or demand changes.
• Enter supplier non-conformance reports and confirm missed deliveries.
• Manage B2B and specialty workflow orders.
• Participate in Supply & Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Work closely with Purchasing, Plant Operations, Logistics, and Customer Service to optimize supply chain and prioritize production.

Inventory Management – 30%

• Provide monthly inventory and cost accuracy reports to relevant teams.
• Lead investigations to resolve inventory discrepancies and prevent reoccurrence.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly inventory transactions to maintain accuracy year-round.
• Conduct monthly physical counts and reconciliations of raw materials and toted materials; increase frequency if discrepancies arise.
• Support audits, stock takes, and compliance activities (SOX, corporate audits).
• Collaborate with Process Engineering and Logistics to maintain accurate BOMs, routings, buffer stocks, and production data.
• Report slow-moving inventory monthly.
• Support ERP system transactions and resolve issues with blocked, quarantined, or non-standard inventory and production orders.
• Review and clean Stock Transport Orders daily and close production orders in SAP twice weekly to maintain accurate MRP data.
• Investigate and report significant inventory adjustments and troubleshoot data errors.

Other Duties – 10%

• Serve as backup to the Logistics Coordinator.
• Participate in Logistics On-Call rotation every other week.
• Support multiple plant locations as needed in a site-based, full-time role.
• Ensure production needs are met based on forecasts, supply strategy, and urgent customer orders.
• Comply with plant procedures, policies, and supply chain standards.
• Take initiative, make timely decisions, and contribute to team goals through cooperation and participation.

Min Years Of Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience required in the planning manufacturing operations.
• Proficient in materials management, supplier quality and performance requirements, understanding of the productions processes, and S&OP process.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.

Education and area of focus

• High school diploma or equivalent (required). BS Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field (preferred)

Certifications/Trainings

• SAP related training or certifications preferred.
• APICS certification
• Six Sigma, LEAN, and/or ISO experience

Competencies -Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Proven leadership of teams, projects, etc. Versatile and flexible team player. Ability to engage a cross-functional team towards a desired outcome. Ability to organize and plan use of time and people effectively and efficiently. Ability to work independently
• Good verbal and written communications skills to communicate effectively with the hourly workforce, the plant day staff, contract employees, and other plant and company leaders.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Solid judgment and problem analysis skills are required.
• Experience with developing or implementing environmental systems & policies. Highly motivated team player able to work at a fast pace.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

This position reports in a manufacturing facility. The position will be mainly desk orientated but must be able to walk through production area and participate in inventory activities as needed.