Production Planner

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Develop and maintain short-term and long-term production schedules for operations. Coordinate production plans based on customer demand, forecasts, inventory levels, equipment capacity, and workforce availability. Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to address changing priorities, equipment downtime, material shortages, or customer requirements. Work with Purchasing to ensure availability of raw materials. Analyze production capacity and identify constraints impacting output and delivery performance. Maintain accurate production data, inventory records, and planning parameters within the ERP/MRP system. Coordinate with department managers to optimize workflow and achieve production objectives. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including schedule attainment, inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, and production efficiency. Support inventory management efforts through cycle counts, inventory analysis, and stock level optimization. Generate and distribute production reports, schedules, and performance metrics. Participate in daily production meetings and communicate scheduling priorities to operations teams. Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure production schedules accommodate inspection and testing requirements. Assist with new product introductions and production process changes. Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, reduce lead times, and increase productivity. Ensure compliance with company safety policies, environmental regulations, and quality standards. Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field and/or equivalent work experience in production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing experience. Experience in a manufacturing environment; process manufacturing experience preferred. Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong attention to detail and data accuracy. Preferred Qualifications Experience in graphite, carbon materials, refractory products, metals, ceramics, or similar industrial manufacturing. APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent). Experience with capacity planning and inventory optimization. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles. Familiarity with production reporting and data analysis tools.