Production Planner

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Paid annual leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Production Planner for an on-site role in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will translate forecasts and customer orders into actionable production plans, coordinating with procurement, production, and logistics to meet demand while optimizing materials and capacity.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing planning, ERP proficiency, and excellent communication skills to work across departments and ensure timely delivery of products.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills are required.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and production planning software is essential.
• A degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules based on demand forecasts and order priorities.
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to address delays or bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with production to understand capacity limitations and constraints.
• Work with inventory management to optimize stock levels and minimize waste.
• Analyze production data to identify trends and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Generate reports on planning activities, performance metrics, and forecast accuracy.
• Liaise with sales and customer service to provide updates on order status and delivery timelines.
• Participate in S&OP meetings to align production plans with business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and production standards.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management / Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Production planning software

Job description

About the Role

WhatJobs Direct is seeking an organized and detail-oriented Production Planner to join our team at our facility in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA . This role is integral to ensuring the smooth and efficient flow of production by creating optimized schedules that meet demand while managing resources effectively. The Production Planner will work closely with production, procurement, and logistics teams to anticipate needs, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure timely delivery of products. This position requires a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and excellent planning and communication skills. You will be responsible for translating sales forecasts and customer orders into actionable production plans, ensuring that materials are available and production capacity is utilized to its fullest potential. This is a critical on-site role for someone who thrives in a structured, operational environment and is dedicated to maintaining production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and communicate detailed production schedules based on demand forecasts and order priorities.
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components.
• Monitor production progress and make necessary adjustments to schedules to address delays or unforeseen issues.
• Collaborate with the production floor to understand capacity limitations and potential constraints.
• Work with inventory management to optimize stock levels and minimize waste.
• Analyze production data to identify trends and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Generate reports on production planning activities, performance metrics, and forecast accuracy.
• Liaise with sales and customer service to provide updates on order status and delivery timelines.
• Participate in S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) meetings to align production plans with business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant company policies and production standards.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Production Planner or in a similar planning/scheduling role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain, and inventory management principles.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in production planning software and ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating with various departments.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• A degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles is a plus.
• Must be able to work on-site in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA .

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and a provident fund. We provide opportunities for professional development and training within the manufacturing sector. Employees also benefit from paid annual leave and work within a dedicated and experienced team. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career in production planning within a significant industrial hub.