Strategic Production Planner | MRP & Kanban Expert

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

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.