Wave Planning Specialist

Conair LLC; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Conair LLC in Glendale, AZ is seeking a Wave/Batch Planner to orchestrate the flow of work from the WMS to the shop floor. You will optimize order release strategies to balance labor, maximize throughput, and ensure on-time departures.

This role requires on-floor presence during peak surges, strong math and analytical skills, and the ability to coordinate with replenishment, customer service, and transportation to keep waves running smoothly.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Associate degree in Logistics or related field preferred.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent communication for cross-departmental coordination.
• Experience with WMS systems such as Manhattan, Blue Yonder or SAP.

Responsibilities

• Execute the daily wave plan by releasing orders in batches to maximize picking efficiency.
• Monitor real-time progress to ensure smooth flow and prevent bottlenecks.
• Prioritize hot orders, expedited shipments, and carrier cut-offs with other teams.
• Coordinate with replenishment to ensure stock is ready before waves.
• Review volume forecasts to adjust batch sizes and picking methods.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Pressure handling

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree in Logistics or related field

Tools

Manhattan WMS

Blue Yonder WMS

SAP

Job description

Position Summary

The Wave/Batch Planner is the \"engine room\" of the distribution center, responsible for orchestrating the flow of work from the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to the floor. This role focuses on optimizing order release strategies to balance labor across departments, maximize throughput, and ensure on-time departures. The planner must have a deep understanding of operational capacity and the ability to pivot strategies in real-time based on changing volumes.

Position Summary

The Wave/Batch Planner is the \"engine room\" of the distribution center, responsible for orchestrating the flow of work from the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to the floor. This role focuses on optimizing order release strategies to balance labor across departments, maximize throughput, and ensure on-time departures. The planner must have a deep understanding of operational capacity and the ability to pivot strategies in real-time based on changing volumes.

Core Responsibilities

• Order Releasing & Waving: Execute the daily \"wave\" plan by releasing orders in logic-based batches that maximize picking efficiency and equipment utilization.


• Workflow Synchronization: Monitor real-time progress in picking, packing, and shipping to ensure a steady flow of work, preventing bottlenecks or \"starving\" downstream departments.


• Priority Management: Coordinate with Customer Service and Transportation to prioritize \"hot\" orders, expedited shipments, and carrier-specific cut-offs.


• Inventory Coordination: Work closely with the replenishment team to ensure stock is in active pick faces before waves are released, minimizing \"shorts\" or order delays.


• Data Analysis: Review daily volume forecasts to adjust batch sizes and picking methodologies (e.g., zone vs. cluster picking).

Operational Support & Floor Integration

Requirements

This is not a \"desk-only\" role. To effectively plan the work, the Wave Planner must understand the physical reality of the floor. Requirements include:

• Conducting regular floor walks to verify WMS data against physical congestion or equipment availability.


• Working directly on the floor during peak surges—assisting with picking, packing, or replenishment to help the team meet wave deadlines.


• Collaborating with department leads to reassign labor based on wave progress and backlog.

Safety & Operational Excellence

Operational efficiency never overrides safety. The Wave Planner is expected to:

• Structure waves to prevent aisle congestion, reducing the risk of collisions between material handling equipment and pedestrians.


• Adhere to all facility safety protocols and participate in \"Safety-First\" initiatives.


• Promote a culture of accountability and operational discipline by ensuring all system transactions are performed accurately.

Qualifications

High School Diploma required; Associate degree in Logistics or related field preferred.

Advanced proficiency in Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) (e.g., Manhattan, Blue Yonder, SAP).

• Strong mathematical and analytical skills with high attention to detail.


• Ability to work under pressure and make quick decisions in a high-volume environment.


• Excellent communication skills for cross-departmental coordination.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled