Production Planning Manager

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As Production Planning Manager, you will oversee the planning and scheduling strategy that keeps our operations running safely, efficiently, and on time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead division-wide production planning and scheduling activities.
• Balance customer demand, production capacity, inventory levels, and logistics requirements.
• Develop and manage long-range capacity plans and production forecasts.
• Optimize mill utilization, throughput, and constraint management.
• Establish planning standards, scheduling disciplines, and best practices.
• Drive backlog management, inventory optimization, and FIFO compliance.
• Oversee freight strategy, carrier relationships, routing efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Provide executive-level visibility into schedule performance, backlog health, inventory exposure, and service risks.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for SAP, MRP systems, and planning processes.
• Partner with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to improve forecast accuracy and operational performance.
• Lead and develop production planners while building organizational capability and succession readiness.
• Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cost and improve customer service.

Successful candidates demonstrate:

• Strong production planning and scheduling expertise
• Advanced ERP/MRP knowledge (SAP preferred)
• Supply chain and inventory management experience
• Financial and business acumen
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and talent development capabilities
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations
• 3–5 years of leadership or senior-level planning responsibility
• Advanced ERP and MRP experience (SAP preferred)
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, logistics, purchasing, and material flow
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field
• Lean manufacturing leadership experience
• Budget ownership or P&L exposure
• Multi-site or complex manufacturing experience

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