at Toyal America Inc. in Lockport, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary Statement
The Production Planner is responsible for all aspects of inventory control, both short term and long-term production schedules in order to best balance/optimize sales requests within production capabilities, forecasting and scheduling of production, variance analysis, accurate bill of materials, and the Materials, Resource, and Planning functions (MRP). The position is expected to maintain and upgrade ERP system functionality to best meet business needs.
Nature and Scope
The Production Planner is a highly visible supply chain role that performs duties to support planning, scheduling, and purchasing activities. This role requires an understanding of customer and production priorities and coordination with sales managers and/or production management. This role collaborates with Manufacturing, Sales, Customer Service, Quality, and logistics (including external partners) regarding planning, scheduling, and purchasing activities. The Production Planner is also the ERP subject matter expert in not only the routine maintenance but also in configuring the necessary KPI’s and reporting functionality to support strategic initiatives.
Planning & Scheduling:
The Production Planner is responsible for scheduling production to meet customer requirements and TAI organizational goals. The incumbent is responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring products through the complete production cycle. Continuous coordination is required with Customer Service, Production, Quality Assurance, and Purchasing to make effective use of the equipment, manpower resources, and materials. The incumbent will create long term schedules for capacity planning, ordering of materials, and labor planning.
The incumbent will be responsible for annual budget planning as well as data analysis on a monthly basis to ensure facility resources are used effectively.
Data Management:
The incumbent oversees the process by which operators report production and consumption data into the inventory management system, and helps ensure all production orders are closed and appropriate steps taken on the last day of each month so that the business can complete month end financial reporting.
Inventory Management:
The incumbent is responsible for inventory control activities, including cycle counting and physical inventory. The incumbent leads monthly cycle counting efforts to insure accurate and up to date inventory accuracy for work in process, finished goods, solvents, chemicals and containers. The incumbent is also the leader for the annual physical inventory, including issuing inventory tags, supervising data input, and reconciling discrepancies. Other related responsibilities include working with management to track and reduce the financial impact of aged and slow moving inventory.
Production Variances:
The incumbent works with plant management and the accounting group to develop strategies for reducing variances related to formula routings and/or costing structures. A thorough understanding of the product costing methods and associated accounting systems is necessary.
Standard Costing
The Production Planner creates BOMs using formula and routing information based on discussions with the technical group, accounting group, and/or plant management. The incumbent is considered a Ramco subject matter expert in all areas related to BOMs, item masters, product costing, inventory control, and related topics. The incumbent must fully understand the costing of products and is the go-to person when costs are needed for new products. The Production Planner plays the key role in the annual update of standard costs.
On a monthly basis, the incumbent analyses production data and calculates the absorption and productivity costs which are reported in the ERP system.
MRP
The incumbent is responsible for maintaining and ensuring the accuracy of the MRP system (materials, planning, resources). Monitor and update data as necessary for a full order entry to shipment cycle is accounted for. Responsible for activities to level workload with capacity once the plant is scheduled, including capacity or workload adjustment activities as well as create and maintain metrics for continuous improvement for all aspects of the business.
Raw Material Sourcing
The incumbent must collaborate and communicate with manufacturing, customer service, and logistics regarding material buy plans and delivery schedules affecting timely completion and delivery of customer orders.
Other Responsibilities
· Supports the ISO 9001 system.
· Actively works for continuous improvements within the organization.
· Compiles and develops manufacturing data for various reports.
· Additional duties and tasks may be assigned as necessary.
· Participates in meetings with key managers to eliminate inefficiencies in communication of issues and problems with supporting facts and data.
Job Requirements:
- College degree with and 5-7 yrs of applicable experience
- A high degree of computer competency, particularly in the use of ERP/MRP software and MS Excel. Experience with RAMCO Enterprise software is a plus.
- Strong Sequel skills and database management
- Excellent communication skills. Ability to interact cross-functionally with individuals at all levels within the organization, from production floor operators to senior management.
- Strong data analysis and problem solving skills. Ability to analyze data and implement action based on the conclusions that are drawn.
- Strong organization skills and the ability to multi-task.
