Overview

The Production Planner is responsible for creating, adjusting, and optimizing daily and long‑term production schedules to support customer demand and effective inventory management. This role ensures jobs move through production efficiently, costs are controlled, and products are delivered on time.

Key Duties

• Build, manage, and update production schedules while accounting for lead times, capacity limits, and resource availability.
• Partner with production, customer service, sales, supply chain, and materials teams to translate forecasting data into actionable production plans.
• Proactively revise schedules in response to changes such as material shortages, rush work, or rework needs.
• Communicate schedule updates and priorities clearly to production leadership.
• Maintain scheduling and planning software tools.
• Coordinate with purchasing on raw material levels and ensure timely delivery of monthly stock requirements.
• Track and communicate required art approvals, copybooks, and other pre‑press materials to support planned press dates.
• Manage art and tooling status updates.
• Participate in daily cross‑department meetings (production, prep, ink, tooling, material handling).
• Release job jackets to the plate room in advance of production.
• Prepare delay lists and communicate impacts to customers when timelines shift.
• Adhere to safety policies, cGMP guidelines, and housekeeping standards.
• Follow all company policies and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field
• 3+ years of scheduling or planning experience in manufacturing or printing

Skills & Competencies

• Strong collaboration skills across multiple departments
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced production environment
• Skilled at managing shifting priorities and handling multiple tasks
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical thinking abilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles preferred