Production Planner

Smart4 Energy; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 380,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund benefits

Guaranteed 13th cheque

Job summary

Smart4 Energy is seeking a hands-on Production Planner / Planner in Gauteng to ensure on-time delivery of components and customer orders. You will coordinate production, procurement, suppliers, inventory and sales to keep schedules on track and address delays early.

The role focuses on operational detail rather than purely strategic planning, working closely with production and suppliers to move orders through the factory efficiently.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Certificate or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Planning or related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years' relevant experience in a production, manufacturing, engineering or operational environment.
• Hands-on production, materials or operations planning experience.
• Experience with works orders, production/assembly scheduling and expediting.
• Strong inventory and stock-control exposure.
• Experience with purchase orders and supplier follow-up.
• Understanding of the operational flow from Sales Order to Delivery.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate the on-time delivery of components and finished orders.
• Enter, maintain and monitor works orders.
• Compile and maintain daily, weekly and monthly production/assembly schedules.
• Monitor sales orders against delivery dates and lead times.
• Run planning reports, identify material shortages and expedite outstanding materials.
• Monitor stock availability and maintain reorder levels.
• Conduct and reconcile stock takes and cycle counts.
• Identify and manage obsolete stock.
• Prepare assembly job files and maintain operational documentation.
• Coordinate engineering drawings and information between departments.
• Raise and monitor purchase orders and follow up on outstanding orders.
• Confirm order receipt and delivery dates with suppliers.
• Expedite components to meet deadlines.
• Provide stakeholders with regular order-progress updates.

Skills

Organizational skills

Follow-up

Attention to detail

Communication

Planning

Education

Grade 12

Supply Chain Management Diploma

Procurement/Planning Certificate

Tools

JD Edwards / JDE

MS Project

Job description

Production Planner / Manufacturing Planner

Location: Gauteng

Employment Type: Permanent

Industry: Engineering / Manufacturing / Industrial Equipment

Package: Market-related CTC + medical aid and pension fund benefits + guaranteed 13th cheque, with potential performance-related upside

The Opportunity

A well-established engineering and manufacturing organisation supplying equipment and solutions into the industrial and resources sectors is looking for a hands‑on Production Planner / Planner to join its operational team.

This is a practical, factory‑facing planning position focused on ensuring the on‑time delivery of components and customer orders. The successful candidate will coordinate the flow of work across production, procurement, suppliers, inventory and sales, ensuring that materials are available, works orders are maintained, production schedules remain on track and potential delays are identified and addressed early.

This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys being close to the operational detail rather than working purely within strategic supply‑chain planning, forecasting or S&OP.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate the on‑time delivery of components and finished orders.
• Enter, maintain and monitor works orders.
• Compile and maintain daily, weekly and monthly production/assembly schedules.
• Monitor sales orders against agreed customer delivery dates and lead times.
• Run planning reports, identify material shortages and ensure outstanding materials are ordered and expedited.
• Monitor stock availability and maintain appropriate reorder levels.
• Conduct and reconcile stock takes and cycle counts, including physical stock verification when required.
• Identify and manage obsolete stock.
• Prepare assembly job files and maintain relevant operational documentation.
• Coordinate engineering drawings and information between the drawing office, procurement and suppliers.
• Raise and monitor purchase orders and follow up continuously on outstanding orders.
• Confirm order receipt and expected delivery dates with suppliers.
• Expedite components and materials where production or customer deadlines are at risk.
• Maintain operational tracking registers and provide stakeholders with regular order‑progress updates.
• Communicate closely with sales regarding the progress of customer orders.
• Escalate supplier, quality and lead‑time issues quickly.
• Generate delivery notes and invoices where required.
• Work closely with production, procurement, sales, engineering and suppliers to keep orders moving through the operation.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12.
• Certificate or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Planning or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years' relevant experience within a production, manufacturing, engineering or operational environment.
• Hands‑on production, materials or operations planning experience.
• Experience with works orders, production/assembly scheduling and expediting.
• Strong inventory and stock‑control exposure.
• Experience with purchase orders and supplier follow‑up.
• Understanding of the operational flow from:

Sales Order → Material Availability → Purchase Orders → Works Orders → Production / Assembly → Expediting → Delivery

• Strong Microsoft Office capability.
• JD Edwards / JDE experience would be highly advantageous.
• MS Project exposure would be beneficial.
• Experience within an engineering, mechanical equipment, mining equipment, fabrication, pumps/valves, materials handling or make‑to‑order manufacturing environment would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate will be highly organised, proactive and exceptionally strong on follow‑up. You should be comfortable managing multiple moving parts simultaneously, identifying potential delays early and taking action rather than waiting for problems to escape.

Strong attention to detail, deadline management, communication, planning and quality orientation are essential.