Production Planner Job

Production / Materials Planner

The position is responsible for establishing raw material requirements, the completion of purchase requisitions, and meeting plant raw material inventory targets.

Jobholder will be responsible for the on-going review of actual customer orders versus forecast to ensure optimal planning for production, rework, and repacking material.

Jobholder will also be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely posting of production. This position reports to the Logistics Leader.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production Planning (35%)

• Make independent decisions and take action to resolve planning, scheduling and supply issues for site. Responsible for schedule revisions or intervention based on direct calls from the plant or customer needs.
• Create Production Orders from Planned Orders for each reactor train and sequence the Production Orders into an optimized Production Schedule.

Update SAP production schedule (CM21) to align with Excel schedule (for published viewing).

• Assign Batch numbers, generate / print Excel batch tickets and print Excel pre-stage tickets for scheduled production as required.
• Leads the daily morning production meetings with operations, logistics, maintenance, and quality which focuses on balancing staffing against demand to firm up the production schedule.
• Work closely with purchasing, plant operations, and logistics to ensure optimization of the supply chain including working capital management, scale-up coordination, storage tank allocation, bulk carriers, and inventory accounting
• Complete daily posting of all production.
• Communication with customer service and product management to prioritize the schedule to meet customer requirements.
• Process End of Month Activities in SAP. Prepares end of month data and reporting.

Materials Planning (30%)

Release raw material requisitions as necessary to meet plant and assigned facility demands and in compliance with inventory targets.

The raw material delivery dates / times should be added to / maintained in the plant’s raw material receiving calendar.

• Submit supplier non-conformances when applicable.
• Investigate and process inbound raw material receipt variances as needed (WorkCycle in SAP)

Inventory Management (20%)

• Participates in warehouse inventory counts to ensure inventory level accuracy is in accordance with established targets and take corrective action when necessary.
• Position will report off grade inventory, finished goods inventory, slow / non-moving raw materials and slow / non-moving finished goods.

Work with Production and Quality to reduce non-prime or blocked inventories.

• Active participation in monthly Supply & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
• Leads weekly Schedule and Inventory review meeting with interested parties (supply chain, site participants, business manager)

Other / Administrative (15%)

• Completes all assigned ATLAS items.
• Process Utility invoices for Grand Rapids site monthly (blanket PO’s in SAP)
• Supports all AIMS initiatives including element 7
• Comply with the HSEQ Policy.
• Comply with Regulations, Legal and Internal Requirements as made known by the site and by the business unit (BU).
• Comply with the rules of the specific location to which one is assigned as well as the rules set by the business unit (BU) and Arkema Inc.
• Comply with all standard procedures and work instructions, aka SP, SOP, PWI, TM, to ensure productivity, quality assurance and cost effectiveness.
• Review their work areas for potential losses and Report hazards to the direct supervisor.
• Report Near Misses to the direct supervisor.
• Report Incidents or Accidents to the direct supervisor.
• Identify and communicate potential gains or possible improvements to the management system.
• Participate in HSEQ activities provided by the site management, Arkema Coating Resins and Arkema, Inc.
• Ensures workplace safety by conducting safety observations and reviews while adhering to safety regulations and procedures.
• Serve as backup to Production planner for NKC site (
• Serve as a backup to Logistics team when needed. Maintain current DOT 49CFR, IMDG certifications for shipping hazardous materials. (
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

• High school diploa required. BS degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the planning manufacturing operations (required).
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in manufacturing environment (preferred).
• Strong knowledge for Microsoft Office (Excel specifically preferred)
• Prior experience with DOT 49CFR & IMDG for shipping hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of materials management, supplier quality and performance requirements, understanding of the productions processes, and S&OP process.
• Knowledge of business methods and procedures and the use of MRP.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Six Sigma, LEAN, and / or ISO experience (preferred)
• Highly motivated team player able to work at a fast pace.
• SAP related training or certifications preferred.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to shift priorities and meet changing customer demand.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to communicate with hourly workforce and plant leadership.

Competencies

Proven leadership of teams, projects, etc. Versatile and flexible team player. Ability to engage a cross-functional team towards a desired outcome.

Ability to organize and plan use of time and people effectively and efficiently. Ability to work independently

• Good verbal and written communications skills to communicate effectively with the hourly workforce, the plant day staff, contract employees, and other plant and company leaders.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Solid judgment and problem analysis skills are required.
• Experience with or implementing environmental systems & policies. Highly motivated team player able to work at a fast pace.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions :

This position reports in a manufacturing facility. The position will be mainly desk orientated but must be able to walk through production area and participate in inventory activities as needed.