Job Summary

The Senior Manager of Planning is responsible for leading and optimizing the production planning and scheduling processes. Reporting directly to the VP of Supply Chain, the Planning Manager will oversee the planning team and collaborate with production, procurement, and engineering to ensure that production schedules align with customer demand, inventory targets, and resource availability. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills to drive continuous improvement initiatives and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Develop and implement production planning strategies that align with business goals and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with the VP of Supply Chain to set planning objectives and KPIs that drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor sales trends and demand forecasts to adjust production plans accordingly.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the planning team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Set performance goals for the planning team and regularly review their progress.
• Provide guidance on complex planning issues and escalate critical matters to the VP of Supply Chain as needed.

• Schedule Development: Oversee the creation of detailed, multi-level production schedules that incorporate customer orders, production capacity, and material availability. Ensure that schedules are aligned with the master production plan and can accommodate fluctuations in demand or unexpected disruptions.
• Capacity Planning: Analyze production capacity and resource availability, including labor, machinery, and materials. Adjust schedules to optimize the use of available resources, balancing workload across shifts and departments to avoid bottlenecks and downtime.
• Scenario Planning: Develop and implement contingency plans to address potential disruptions such as equipment failure, material shortages, or changes in customer demand. Regularly conduct "what-if" analyses to anticipate challenges and prepare proactive solutions.
• Schedule Optimization: Continuously refine production schedules using advanced planning tools and techniques, such as Just-In-Time (JIT) and Theory of Constraints (TOC), to minimize lead times and reduce inventory costs. Work closely with production teams to identify opportunities for schedule compression and improved throughput.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Implement systems to monitor production progress in real-time, enabling quick adjustments to schedules as needed. Collaborate with floor supervisors to address any delays or deviations from the plan, ensuring that production targets are met on time.
• Integration with Supply Chain: Ensure that production schedules are fully integrated with supply chain activities, including procurement and logistics. Coordinate with suppliers to align delivery schedules with production needs, minimizing inventory holding costs while ensuring materials are available when needed.
• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure that all production schedules are documented and maintained in accordance with company policies. Prepare detailed reports on schedule adherence, production output, and any deviations from the plan, providing insights to the VP of Supply Chain and other stakeholders.

• Collaborate with procurement to ensure timely availability of materials and components needed for production.
• Optimize inventory levels to balance cost and service levels, reducing excess inventory while avoiding stockouts.
• Implement systems to monitor and track material usage, and work with the team to minimize waste.

• Serve as the key liaison between planning, production, procurement, engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings to review production plans, address challenges, and coordinate upcoming projects.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders to ensure alignment on production goals and timelines.

• Identify and implement process improvements within the planning function to increase efficiency and reduce lead times.
• Leverage data analysis and industry best practices to optimize planning processes.
• Lead or support Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement initiatives within the planning department.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, or a related field; a Masters degree is preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in production planning or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain principles, and materials management.
• Proficiency in production planning software (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities, with a track record of driving improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies is highly desirable.

Competencies:

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.