Purpose of the Position -
The production planner role ensures production availability to fulfill demand by translating midterm and long-term supply plans into granular short-term production schedules that also align with near-term requirements. The role balances available and required capacity to optimize service, working capital and conversion costs while monitoring any potential issues which may impact production schedules.
Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a salary position
Analyst: Translate network supply plan into a production schedule for the manufacturing assets within its scope. Work closely with finished goods replenishment planning and material planning teams to ensure proper coverage and accurate schedules. Develops and aligns changes to the production schedule when demand or supply deviates from plan. Identify possible future capacity constraints and bottlenecks in the short to mid-term. Anticipate potential issues by comparing demand with supply in the short term and midterm. Translate new product introduction plans from research and development and/or new product innovation teams into production plans. Work with the network supply planner to identify consistent production adherence issues that might require an update to the planning assumptions.
Systems Expert: Use and maintain current planning systems to create the best production schedules using established processes. Leverage technology and analytics to run what-if-analysis to build a realistic, optimal and feasible production schedule
Internal Collaborator. Develop and maintain production planning assumptions and performance measures in conjunction with purchasing, planning, manufacturing operations, logistics/warehousing, commercial teams, to include yield, line capacity, scrap rates, projects and holiday planning. Align and support Network Supply Planner on Master Schedule Quality metrics and controlling working capital. Ensure that Direct Material Support is receiving the appropriate signal for buying and that schedules remain support to drive attainment delivery.
Communicator/Reporter: Report on back orders, planned utilization, WIP requirements, and costs to the parties concerned. Measure, analyze and report key process metrics, and monitor adherence to key performance indicators (KPIs).
Process Improver: Participate in the process to improve and upgrade production planning systems and reporting. Analyze service, capacity utilization and WIP to determine how to increase utilization, reduce waste or improve customer service.
Success Criteria: Production plan/schedule: An operationally and financially optimized production schedule that is developed, taking into account customer requirements, inventory levels, material availability and available capacity. Metrics could include capacity utilization, customer fill rates, inventory performance and master schedule quality/attainment.
Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues, e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.
Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.
Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Move about in a manufacturing environment, office environment, and surrounding property.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed by facility.
Travel: May travel within North America to and from multiple facilities or worksites, requiring overnight stays.
Technical Experience: 2+ years’ working experience in similar or related roles is desired but not mandatory. Hands-on experience working with multiple partners to resolve exceptions and negotiating the best alternatives is desired but not mandatory.
Industry Experience: Education in the field of expertise like operations, supply chain management, business (B.Sc.) or equivalent years of experience is required for the role. A certification in supply chain from APICS, certified in production and inventory management (CPIM) or lean is desired but not mandatory.
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in related field or 4 years related experience
Preferred Education: N/A
Location: This position can be located in any of these three locations: Siloam Springs, AR | Quakertown, PA | Bridgeville, DE
We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
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