Planner

Position Summary

The Planner is responsible for ensuring material readiness, maintaining an executable production schedule, and optimizing inventory levels to support operational, financial, and customer delivery objectives. This role requires strong analytical capabilities, disciplined execution, and effective coordination across functional teams in a high‑mix, low‑volume EMS environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Material Planning & MRP Execution

• Run and validate MRP outputs to ensure accurate material signals.
• Analyze exception messages, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Perform material lead time analysis and propose optimization actions.
• Ensure visibility of material status, including shortages, inbound shipments, and past‑due purchase orders.
• Execute and maintain planning activities within D365 (MRP, reschedule recommendations, inventory review).

2. Inventory Management

• Monitor and improve inventory turns; conduct projection analysis and inventory reviews.
• Assess inventory projects and actions required to achieve target inventory turns (e.g., 8.0).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to balance service levels versus excess & obsolete risk.
• Manage Work‑In‑Process (WIP) levels intentionally to support production flow.
• Support cycle counts and sustain high inventory accuracy.
• Distinguish and manage consigned versus owned inventory.

3. Master Production Scheduling (MPS)

• Build and maintain an executable Master Production Schedule aligned with customer demand and material readiness.
• Understand and apply frozen, slushy, and liquid planning zones.
• Manage schedule changes with discipline and communicate impacts clearly.
• Support production by minimizing line stoppages due to material issues.
• Participate in daily/weekly execution meetings and adjust plans based on real shop‑floor feedback.
• Ensure alignment with production constraints (SMT, Box Build, Testing).
• Prevent gaps between system plan and actual production reality.

4. Execution & Operational Discipline

• Conduct Work Order material readiness checks and ensure timely release.
• Handle material shortages and exceptions promptly and effectively.
• Expedite or de‑expedite materials as needed and maintain follow‑up rigor.
• Manage priorities and workload efficiently.

5. Analytical & Risk Management

• Identify material or capacity risks early and propose mitigation plans.
• Evaluate gating material and assess lead‑time and forecast risk exposure.
• Analyze excess, aging, and E&O inventory risk; drive minimization actions.
• Perform scenario analysis to propose feasible solutions under constraints.
• Align demand with capacity availability and material limitations.

6. Finance & Business Awareness

• Understand cost impacts of planning decisions, including PPV, freight cost, and inventory liability.
• Consider cash flow, material liability, and long‑term business implications in planning decisions.
• Support margin and revenue objectives by optimizing schedule execution and inventory positioning.

7. Communication & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Align daily production plan with manufacturing capacity.
• Communicate clearly with Buyers, Operations, Program Management, and Quality.
• Escalate constraints based on facts with simple, data‑driven explanations.
• Provide transparent trade‑off communication between service, cost, and risk.

8. Ownership & Professional Mindset

• Demonstrate accountability for material readiness and inventory turns.
• Perform proactive follow‑up and maintain high data discipline.
• Practice end‑to‑end thinking; avoid siloed decision‑making.
• Act as a solution provider with a clean and structured problem‑solving mindset.
• Maintain composure under pressure and during fast‑changing priorities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Experience in EMS or electronics manufacturing environment preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in planning, material control, or production scheduling.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (D365 preferred).
• Solid understanding of MRP logic (LT, MOQ, NCNR, safety stock).
• Knowledge of BOM structures, AVL, and supply chain best practices.
• Advanced Excel skills; capability to handle complex datasets.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving.
• Clear and structured communication.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative yet assertive in cross‑functional settings.