Senior Production Planner (Remote)

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Home office allowance

Health coverage

PTO and holidays

Professional development support

Retirement savings plan with company 


Employee assistance program

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Production Planner for a fully remote role. The candidate will optimize schedules, manage inventory, and allocate resources to meet demand, collaborating with production, supply chain and sales using advanced digital tools.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in production planning, strong forecasting abilities, and experience with APS software and ERP systems. Remote-first environment offers flexibility and cross-functional collaboration across global teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration or related field.
• 7+ years in production planning, scheduling or SCM in manufacturing.
• Strong forecasting, inventory management and scheduling technique experience.
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Experience with APS software and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle).

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and optimize detailed production schedules to meet orders and forecasts.
• Coordinate with Sales, Procurement and Operations to align plans and material availability.
• Forecast future production requirements based on demand data.
• Manage inventory of raw materials, WIP and finished goods to minimize costs.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement proactive solutions.
• Utilize advanced planning tools to improve scheduling accuracy.
• Monitor progress and adjust plans as needed.
• Generate reports on production performance, inventory, and forecast accuracy.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in planning and operations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Independent worker

Detail oriented

ERP (SAP/Oracle)

Forecasting

Inventory management

Remote work capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Engineering

Tools

APS software

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished leader in specialty chemicals manufacturing, is seeking an experienced Senior Production Planner to join their operations. This position is a key strategic role focused on optimizing production schedules, managing inventory levels, and ensuring efficient resource allocation to meet market demand. As a fully remote role, you will be empowered to work from anywhere, collaborating closely with production, supply chain, and sales teams using advanced digital tools. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of production planning principles, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to forecast and manage complex manufacturing schedules. We are building a remote-first environment, offering flexibility and support for our team members to excel. This is a prime opportunity to leverage your expertise in demand forecasting and production scheduling within a company committed to innovation and operational excellence, impacting global supply chains and product availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize detailed production schedules to meet customer orders and demand forecasts.
• Collaborate with sales, procurement, and operations teams to ensure alignment on production plans and material availability.
• Analyze demand patterns and forecast future production requirements.
• Manage inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods to minimize costs and prevent stockouts.
• Identify potential production bottlenecks and proactively implement solutions.
• Utilize advanced planning software and tools to enhance scheduling accuracy and efficiency.
• Monitor production progress against the plan and make necessary adjustments.
• Generate regular reports on production performance, inventory status, and forecast accuracy.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the planning and operations functions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant company policies and industry regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in demand forecasting, inventory management, and production scheduling techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Proficiency in advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities effectively in a remote setting.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Experience in the chemical manufacturing industry is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary.
• Performance-based incentive program.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Remote work flexibility, fostering a healthy work-life balance.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and certifications.
• Retirement savings plan with company contribution.
• Employee assistance program for confidential support.
• Access to state-of-the-art digital collaboration tools.