Production Planner

The Production Planner & Scheduler is responsible for coordinating the flow of work through the manufacturing operation. This role serves as the central point of communication between Sales, Project Managers, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Warehouse, and Field Operations to ensure projects are planned, materials are available, production is scheduled efficiently, and customers receive accurate updates.

The Production Planner & Scheduler manages priorities, balances shop capacity, monitors job progress, and helps ensure projects are completed on time while maximizing shop efficiency.

Essential Responsibilities

Production Planning

• Review incoming shop work orders for completeness.
• Prioritize work based on customer commitments and shop capacity.
• Develop and maintain the daily and weekly production schedule.
• Balance workloads across fabrication resources.
• Adjust schedules as priorities change.
• Coordinate expedited work when necessary.

Order Management

• Receive and process fabrication requests.
• Ensure drawings, specifications, and work instructions are complete before release.
• Track all jobs from release through completion.
• Monitor job progress and identify schedule risks early.
• Maintain accurate production status information.

Materials Coordination

• Verify material availability prior to production.
• Coordinate with Purchasing regarding shortages and delivery dates.
• Communicate material constraints affecting production.
• Process inventory transactions and material movements.

Customer & Internal Communication

• Provide order status updates to:
• Project Managers
• Service Team
• Construction Team
• Sales
• Customers (when appropriate)
• Communicate schedule changes promptly.
• Coordinate delivery dates with internal customers.
• Escalate issues impacting customer commitments.

Production Support

• Process production transactions within ERP software.
• Assist with equipment and material transactions.
• Coordinate completed jobs for shipping or pickup.
• Maintain production records and documentation.

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend improvements to production flow.
• Assist with KPI reporting.
• Help improve schedule accuracy.
• Support implementation of manufacturing processes and systems.
• Participate in planning meetings.

Qualifications

Education

Associate degree in Business, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience preferred.

Experience

• 3–5 years in manufacturing, production planning, project coordination, or scheduling
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems preferred
• Experience in HVAC, sheet metal, fabrication, construction, or industrial manufacturing preferred

Skills

• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong communication abilities
• High attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• ERP software experience
• Strong problem-solving ability
• Customer service mindset

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery %
• Schedule Adherence
• Production Schedule Accuracy
• Past Due Orders
• Material Shortage Incidents
• Customer Response Time
• Shop Capacity Utilization
• Order Processing Time

Reporting Relationship

Reports to

Director of Manufacturing & Logistics

Works Closely With

• Shop Supervisors
• Purchasing
• Sales
• Project Managers
• Service
• Construction
• Warehouse

Physical Requirements

• Office and manufacturing environment
• Frequent walking throughout manufacturing facility
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods