Production Planning Manager

About the position

The Dunkirk Production Planning Manager plays a crucial role in driving profitability and reducing inventory by strategically managing melt schedules, material applications, various operational constraints, and optimizing production lead times. Tasked with guiding the planning team, this role applies a Theory of Constraints approach to streamline operations and improve throughput. With a focus on continuous improvement, the manager will pursue operational excellence, leveraging insights and feedback to foster innovation and enhance processes. A commitment to enhancing customer service is vital, with a focus on reducing late orders and providing transparent order status updates. Success in this role translates to heightened customer satisfaction and a strong contribution to the company's profit maximization objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans and schedules for the Dunkirk plant, manage production lead times, manage cycle time review process, and managing inventory levels to ensure alignment with company goals for maximizing profits while reducing inventory.
• Oversee inventory levels to ensure they are aligned with production schedules and customer demand, minimizing excess while meeting strategic targets.
• Take part in the melt planning in conjunction with the Bridgeville and North Jackson teams.
• Work closely with Corporate Supply Chain Systems & Inventory Planner to continuously analyze and improve planning processes and systems to enhance customer service, inventory planning, and free up team's time for higher valued activities including programming new VBA excel tools or SharePoint automations.
• Collaborate with operations, technical, and IT departments on various improvement projects that help improve yields, reduce inventory, increase production, and reduce costs.
• Directly engage in tactical planning tasks as needed, including material application, providing customer order status reports, and scheduling various units.
• Work closely with other plants production planners and the sales, operations, and technical departments to ensure alignment between production capabilities and market demands.
• Lead efforts to reduce late orders and enhance order transparency, aiming to boost customer satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Dunkirk production planning team, promoting a culture of accountability, excellence, and alignment with company's strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in excel and capacity planning tools. VBA programming skills preferred.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset, with a drive to constantly seek out ways to enhance processes, efficiency, and performance through automation.
• Proficient in SharePoint and Power Automate preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of materials planning, product allocation, master scheduling, production control, and manufacturing processes.
• Deep understanding of the Theory of Constraints to optimize workflow and maximize operational efficiency.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage both internal team and cross-departmental relationships.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in production planning within a manufacturing environment, metals industry preferred.