Production Planner

NicheHR LLP; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm is seeking a Production Planner to optimize production scheduling and ensure efficiency in manufacturing processes. Key responsibilities include developing production plans, coordinating with various teams, and utilizing SAP for inventory management. Ideal candidates should have strong analytical skills and proficiency in SAP. This role offers a dynamic work environment in Gauteng, South Africa.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in SAP PP module and Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication across departments.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and organized.
• Adaptability in fast-paced and changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production plans aligned with sales forecasts.
• Convert FG requirement plans into actionable plans.
• Open production orders in SAP after verifying material availability.
• Monitor adherence to the production schedule daily.
• Participate in production and S&OP meetings.

Skills

Proficiency in SAP PP module

Strong analytical abilities

Effective communication

Detail-oriented and organized

Adaptability

Tools

Excel

Job description

Overview

Role Overview : The Production Planner ensures the optimal scheduling of production activities to meet sales forecasts, inventory targets, and service levels while maximizing efficiency of manufacturing resources. This role involves close coordination with manufacturing, procurement, quality, and warehouse teams to ensure seamless execution of the production plan. The planner is also responsible for proactively identifying capacity constraints, tracking plan adherence, and driving improvements in planning accuracy and factory serviceability.

Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Scheduling : Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly production plans aligned with sales forecasts, inventory policies, and material availability.
• Convert FG (Finished Goods) requirement plans into actionable bulk and packing plans for each production line.
• Revalidate plans weekly based on actual sales, inventory levels, and constraints (e.g., manpower, machine downtime, material shortages).
• SAP & Inventory Management : Open production orders in SAP after verifying material availability.
• Track RM / PM availability in SAP; follow up on shortages with procurement and warehouse.
• Book online and final wastage in SAP accurately.
• Perform TECO (Technical Completion) of POs after batch completion and ensure proper data entry.
• Maintain production planning master data in SAP (e.g., Alternate BOM initiation and activation).
• Materials & Procurement Coordination : Track and maintain RM and PM plans and consumption in Excel.
• Liaise with procurement and warehouse teams to ensure timely availability of materials.
• Follow up on shortfall materials and escalate risks as necessary.
• Factory Execution & Control : Monitor adherence to the production schedule daily.
• Coordinate with shopfloor teams to manage plan deviations.
• Work with the quality team to prioritize quality clearances and manage holds.
• Track and report factory serviceability; take corrective actions on shortfalls.
• Cross-functional Coordination : Participate in daily production and S&OP meetings to provide visibility to cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate with the Demand Planner and Sales to revise plans for demand changes or promotions.
• Performance Monitoring & Improvement : Drive initiatives to reduce changeovers, idle time, and improve adherence to the plan.
• Ensure stock level coverage for A and B class SKUs.
• Track KPIs : Schedule Adherence, Plan Accuracy, and Line Efficiency; recommend improvement actions.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in SAP PP module and Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication across departments.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and organized.
• Adaptability in fast-paced and changing environments.