Job Description
This pivotal role ensures seamless production scheduling, optimal material availability, and accurate data management across planning systems. A key focus will be maintaining and enhancing master data to drive operational excellence and informed decision-making. The role includes leadership responsibility for one direct report.
Key Responsibilities/Duties
Production Planning
- Develop and maintain robust production schedules to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
- Collaborate with Procurement, Manufacturing, and Logistics teams to ensure timely availability of materials and resources.
- Monitor production performance and proactively adjust plans to mitigate risks or delays.
- Analyse capacity constraints and recommend solutions to optimise throughput and efficiency.
Master Data Management
- Set up and maintain accurate master data in SAP and IBP systems, including BOMs, routings, lead times, and production versions.
- Ensure data integrity across planning tools and systems to support reliable forecasting and reporting.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to validate and update master data in line with evolving business needs.
- Support audits and data governance initiatives by maintaining thorough documentation and change logs.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement process improvements within planning and data management functions.
- Contribute to digitalisation and automation initiatives to enhance planning efficiency.
- Participate in cross-functional projects aimed at improving overall supply chain performance.
New Product Development (NPD) Management
- Coordinate production readiness activities to support the successful launch of new products.
- Ensure accurate setup of master data for new materials, BOMs, routings, and production versions.
- Collaborate with NPD, Procurement, and Operations teams to align timelines and resource availability.
- Monitor trial runs and initial production batches to identify and resolve planning or material-related issues.
- Maintain visibility of NPD timelines and integrate them into overall production plans.
- Contribute to post-launch reviews and continuous improvement of NPD processes.
Experience/Qualifications
- Proven experience in production planning within a manufacturing or supply chain environment.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms, with a solid understanding of master data structures.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to maintaining data accuracy.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions.
- Proficiency in Excel and planning tools, including MRP, SAP, and IBP.
