Job Description

Production Planner / Forecaster - Consumer Goods Industry

Position Summary

The Production Planner / Forecasteris responsible fordeveloping andmaintainingproduction schedules, forecasting customer demand, and ensuring efficientutilizationof manufacturing resources. This role coordinates with Operations, Supply Chain,Purchasing, Engineering, and Customer Service to balance production capacity, inventory levels, and delivery requirements while supporting overall operational efficiency.Our client is awell-establishedcompany, growing fast, with career growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Create andmaintaindaily, weekly, and monthly manufacturing production schedules

• Forecast product demand using historical sales data, customer orders, inventory trends, and market activity

• Analyze production capacity, machine availability, labor requirements, and material constraints

• Coordinate with Purchasing and Supply Chain teams to ensuretimelyavailability of raw materials and components

• Monitor work-in-process (WIP), finished goods inventory, and safety stock levels

• Adjust production schedules to address machine downtime, supply shortages, rush orders, or changing customer priorities

• Maintainaccuratedata within ERP/MRP systems

• Track and report key manufacturing metricsincluding scheduleattainment,forecastaccuracy,inventory turns, and capacityutilization

• Work closely with manufacturing supervisors to improve workflow and production efficiency

• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to planning, inventory, and scheduling processes

• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field preferred

• 3+ years of production planning, manufacturing scheduling, or forecasting experience

• Experience in a manufacturing environment

• Strong understanding ofMRP/ERP systems, inventory control, capacityplanning,and production scheduling.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS / CPIM certification

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies

• Experience using SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Plex, Epicor, or similar ERP systems

• Knowledge of demand planning and statistical forecasting methods

• Power BI or reporting/dashboard experience