Production Planner

Job Summary: The Production Planner I is responsible for scheduling manufacturing for the assigned department(s) to meet customer demand while carrying minimum inventory. The qualified individual for this position will utilize an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to schedule production in such a manner to effectively utilize facility capacity, workforce and material resources across multiple departments. This position will communicate and work with Sales, Operations, Technical, Finance and Purchasing groups to meet business goals. Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Create a rolling Production Plan for all operations - examples include mixing, peeling, re-rolling, laminating, etc.; ensure bills of materials and routings are accurate and create an efficient work flow; analyze and identify opportunities and risks associated with the options built into the Production Plan to successfully meet order deadlines Interact with customer service to ensure realistic and satisfactory customer ship dates and proactively inform of any schedule issues to provide best in the industry customer experience Maintain & release jobs to the various resources from sales orders in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system Monitor actual output versus the Production Plan and ensure inventory accuracy of < 98% Analyze, identify and drive solutions to problems within the production/inventory processes Evaluate current planning tools and processes; champion and drive improvement solutions Provides shipping departments with a list of materials needing transferred between the manufacturing plants Works with supervisors to ensure production plans are being followed through with Interacts with operators to understand processes and to be aware of production issues Location: Onsite Lancaster, PA Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000 annually Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. About the Opportunity We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Production Planner I to join our manufacturing team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules that align with customer demand while optimizing inventory levels, capacity, workforce utilization, and material resources. This position offers the opportunity to work cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and Technical teams while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. If you enjoy solving operational challenges, analyzing production processes, and collaborating with manufacturing teams to drive results, we'd love to hear from you. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain rolling production schedules for manufacturing operations. Utilize ERP/MRP systems to plan and release production orders. Analyze production plans to identify risks, opportunities, and process improvements. Monitor inventory levels and maintain inventory accuracy goals. Collaborate with Customer Service to establish realistic ship dates and proactively communicate scheduling concerns. Work with production supervisors and operators to ensure adherence to production plans. Evaluate planning processes and tools, recommending and implementing improvements. Coordinate material transfers between manufacturing facilities as needed. Analyze production and inventory issues and drive effective solutions. Monitor actual production output against planned schedules. What You'll Be Doing A typical day includes reviewing overnight system-generated production schedules, analyzing production performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, creating and adjusting production plans, and collaborating directly with production teams on the manufacturing floor to ensure schedules are being executed effectively. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Statistics, Supply Chain, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered. 1-3 years of experience in: Production Planning Scheduling Inventory Control Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Epicor or similar preferred). Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively across multiple departments and teams. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience in a manufacturing environment. APICS certification preferred. Knowledge of manufacturing processes, productivity metrics, and operational efficiencies. Experience collaborating with production teams and cross-functional stakeholders. Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence outcomes. What Success Looks Like Successful candidates will quickly learn the production planning process, build strong relationships across the manufacturing facility, and help drive improvements in scheduling accuracy, inventory management, and overall operational efficiency. Work Environment This role operates in both an office and manufacturing setting. The position may require time on the production floor where exposure to machinery, noise, temperature variations, and manufacturing processes is common. Appropriate PPE will be required when working in production areas. Why Join Us? Collaborative and supportive team environment. Opportunity to make a direct impact on manufacturing operations. Cross-functional exposure across multiple business departments. Continuous improvement culture that values innovation and employee input. Potential future hybrid work flexibility. Apply today to help drive production excellence and support a world-class manufacturing operation.