Production Planner Lead

G-Core Capital; Verulam; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

G-Core Capital invites applications for a Production Planning Specialist to organize and optimize production schedules across multiple departments in a fast-paced manufacturing setting in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal. You will forecast demand, balance capacity, and ensure timely delivery while collaborating with Sales, Procurement, and Logistics teams.

The role requires a degree or diploma in Supply Chain, 5+ years in flexible packaging manufacturing, and strong Excel/ERP system skills.

Qualifications

• Matric or NQF level 4.
• NQF Level 6 National Diploma / Degree in Supply Chain or Related Qualifications (mandatory).
• Experience with production planning software.
• Advanced Excel skill.
• Minimum 5 years in Flexible Packaging Manufacturing Industry (mandatory).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term, medium-term, and long-term production schedules based on customer demand.
• Coordinate production plans across printing, laminating, slitting, extrusion, pouch-making, and finishing departments.
• Monitor daily production performance and adjust plans to accommodate changing delivery priorities.
• Prioritize orders based on customer requirements, delivery dates, and business needs.
• Review customer forecasts and sales orders to create achievable production plans.
• Conduct capacity planning to identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
• Balance production demand against available labor, machine capacity, and raw materials.
• Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams on demand fluctuations and delivery commitments.
• Coordinate with factory and warehouse teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials and all relevant components required for production.
• Monitor WIP inventory levels and work with HODs to unlock operational bottlenecks and accelerate production flow, ensuring completion of all jobs.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Procurement teams.
• Ensure production schedules align with customer delivery requirements.
• Manage schedule changes due to machine breakdowns, urgent orders, or material shortages.
• Facilitate effective communication between departments to ensure smooth workflow.
• Identify planning process improvements to increase operational effectiveness.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement projects.
• Support ERP/MRP system enhancements and optimization initiatives.
• Lead planning-related projects aimed at improving customer service and reducing costs.
• Strong leadership, cross-functional co-ordination, stakeholder influencing capabilities
• Analytical, data-driven and highly structured problem-solving skills
• High level of responsiveness, agility and ability to handle high-pressure manufacturing environments
• Proactive, solution-oriented leader with exceptional communication skills

Skills

Advanced Excel

Production planning software

Education

NQF Level 6 National Diploma / Degree in Supply Chain

Job description

Minimum Qualification and Experience:

• Matric or NQF level 4
• NQF Level 6 National Diploma / Degree in Supply Chain or Related Qualifications (mandatory)
• Experience with production planning software
• Advanced excel skill
• Minimum 5 years in Flexible Packaging Manufacturing Industry (mandatory)

Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain short-term, medium-term, and long-term production schedules based on customer demand
• Coordinate production plans across printing, laminating, slitting, extrusion, pouch-making, and finishing departments.
• Monitor daily production performance and adjust plans to accommodate changing delivery priorities.
• Prioritize orders based on customer requirements, delivery dates, and business needs.

Demand & Capacity Management

• Review customer forecasts and sales orders to create achievable production plans.
• Conduct capacity planning to identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
• Balance production demand against available labor, machine capacity, and raw materials.
• Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams on demand fluctuations and delivery commitments.

Inventory & Material Planning

• Coordinate with factory and warehouse teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials and all relevant components required for production i.e cylinders, cores.
• Monitor WIP inventory levels and work with HODs to unlock operational bottlenecks and accelerate production flow, ensuring completion of all jobs

Supply Chain Coordination

• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Procurement teams.
• Ensure production schedules align with customer delivery requirements.
• Manage schedule changes due to machine breakdowns, urgent orders, or material shortages.
• Facilitate effective communication between departments to ensure smooth workflow.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify planning process improvements to increase operational effectiveness.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement projects.
• Support ERP/MRP system enhancements and optimization initiatives.
• Lead planning-related projects aimed at improving customer service and reducing costs.

Leadership competencies

• Strong leadership, cross-functional co-ordination, stakeholder influencing capabilities
• Analytical, data-driven and highly structured problem-solving skills
• High level of responsiveness, agility and ability to handle high-pressure manufacturing environments
• Proactive, solution-oriented leader with exceptional communication skills