Job Description
The Production Planning Manager is a strategic leader responsible for owning master production scheduling control across multiple engineers to order (ETO) and make to order (MTO) value streams, including machining, welding,
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fabrication, assembly, and test.
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This role acts as the control tower, ensuring all work orders are fully ready to build—technically, materially, and operationally—before release to the shop floor. The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of advanced planning experience, strong manufacturing knowledge, analytical skill, and the leadership presence required to influence cross-functional teams.
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Do you want to join the best team in Water!! #water #jointhebest
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Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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Production Control & Clear-to-Build Ownership
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- Own the Clear-to-Build (CTB) process for all ETO/MTO orders, ensuring engineering releases, BOM accuracy, routings, special instructions, and material availability are complete prior to release.
- Enforce CTB readiness gates and prevent the release of incomplete or unready work orders.
- Maintain the daily plan-of-record, aligning machining, welding, assembly, and test activities with the Master Production Schedule.
- Lead CTB / production readiness meetings, identifying risks, assigning actions, and confirming build priorities.
- Hold Planning, Engineering, Purchasing, and Operations accountable for closing CTB gaps.
- Manage and lead a team of production planners and inventory analysts.
- Hold teams accountable for on-time performance of daily operations, while facilitating RCCA analysis
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Advanced Planning & Value Stream Coordination
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- Partner with Planners to develop realistic, achievable schedules across variable routing environments, ultimately owning the master production schedule.
- Validate capacity and resource availability across machining centers, welding operations, skilled labor, tooling, and assembly cells.
- Collaborate with Engineering on drawing releases, deviations, rework paths, and changes impacting open orders.
- Monitor MRP exceptions, planning parameters, and demand changes to maintain production flow.
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Shop Floor Engagement
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- Maintain a strong daily presence on the shop floor to track progress, validate readiness, and remove blockers.
- Partner with Supervisors and Leads to sequence work, resolve constraints, and ensure work orders advance through routing steps on time.
- Ensure accurate work order transactions (labor reporting, completions, backflushes, moves) to support data integrity.
- Coordinate Lead Time reduction reviews and action meetings
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Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
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- Develop dashboards and reporting (Excel/Power BI) tracking CTB readiness, shortages, WIP levels, queue times, capacity constraints, and schedule adherence..
- Lead targeted CI activities (A3s, Kaizens, root cause analysis) focused on improving flow, reducing shortages, and eliminating recurring disruptors.
- Support PFEP improvements, kanban/supermarket development, and enhanced visual management across value streams.
- Inventory Optimization through PFEP Analysis
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Cross-Functional Influence & Team Leadership
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- Act as the authoritative voice of production control, ensuring alignment across Planning, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
- Facilitate issue resolution related to materials, engineering changes, quality holds, or capacity.
- Communicate risks clearly and propose recovery plans with data-driven recommendations.
- Manage a team of four production planners and an inventory control analyst
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Key Skills & Competencies
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- Strong understanding of ETO/MTO manufacturing workflows (machining, welding, fabricating, assembly).
- Advanced planning capability with the ability to manage complex, custom orders.
- High analytical skills: expert Excel required, Power BI preferred.
- Passion to improve complex/difficult processes
- Working knowledge of Lean principles and flow optimization.
- Strong prioritization, organization, and decision-making capability in a fast-paced environment.
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Minimum Qualifications
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- 5+ years in advanced production planning, production control, or supply planning within manufacturing.
- Experience in engineer‑to‑order or make‑to‑order environments strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field.
- Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems; SAP preferred.
- Practical exposure to Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement tools.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional meetings and drive results.
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Preferred Qualifications
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- Bachelor's Degree, preferably MBA, Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, or related field.
- Experience coordinating complex operations.
- Experience in fast-paced transformational environments
- Experience implementing PFEP, Kanban, or supermarket systems.
- Power BI or other analytics tool proficiency.
- APICS / ASCM, CSCMP, ISM, PMI, or Lean/Six Sigma certifications.
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