Remote Production Planning Specialist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Remote; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Production Planning Specialist to join a prominent manufacturing organization in South Africa. The role involves developing production plans aligned with forecasts, inventory, and resources for Paarl and other SA facilities, all from a remote setting.

You will collaborate with plant managers and supply chain teams to optimize schedules, monitor progress, and deliver on-time production. A strong background in ERP/MRP and Lean principles will be advantageous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in production planning, scheduling or a similar supply chain role.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for planning and scheduling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent understanding of production planning, inventory management and capacity planning.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed short-term and long-term production schedules based on forecasts, orders and inventory.
• Coordinate with procurement and logistics to ensure timely availability of materials.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to address changes in demand.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize resource allocation and minimize downtime.
• Maintain accurate planning data in the ERP system.
• Analyze capacity and identify constraints or improvement opportunities.
• Generate reports on production performance, schedule adherence and KPIs.
• Work with sales and customer service to provide realistic production timelines.
• Identify and implement improvements to planning processes and systems.
• Ensure efficient material flow and minimize work-in-progress inventory.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Strong communication

Remote work capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturing organization, is actively seeking a Remote Production Planning Specialist to join their team. This fully remote position allows you to work from anywhere within South Africa, contributing to the strategic planning and scheduling of our production operations. You will be responsible for developing efficient production plans that align with demand forecasts, inventory levels, and resource availability. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a meticulous attention to detail, and a solid understanding of production planning principles and software. This role is crucial for optimizing our client's production output and ensuring timely delivery of products. Working remotely, you will collaborate closely with plant managers and supply chain teams to streamline operations for our Paarl, Western Cape based facilities and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed short-term and long-term production schedules based on sales forecasts, order backlogs, and inventory levels.
• Coordinate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules as needed to address unforeseen issues or changes in demand.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize resource allocation and minimize production downtime.
• Maintain accurate production planning data in the ERP system.
• Analyze production capacity and identify potential constraints or opportunities for improvement.
• Generate reports on production performance, schedule adherence, and key planning metrics.
• Work closely with sales and customer service to provide realistic production timelines.
• Identify and implement improvements to production planning processes and systems.
• Ensure efficient material flow and minimize work-in-progress inventory.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or a similar supply chain role.
• Proficiency in using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for planning and scheduling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent understanding of production planning principles, inventory management, and capacity planning.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other relevant planning software.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles is a plus.
• Must be based in South Africa and eligible to work remotely.

Benefits

This remote role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund options. Enjoy the flexibility of working from home while contributing to a significant manufacturing operation. Our client provides opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the supply chain field. This role supports our Paarl, Western Cape operations, ensuring their planning needs are met efficiently.