Hire a Production Planner
The production and logistics space depends heavily on planning to ensure that deadlines and production targets are met. Not only does planning have to be detailed and organized, but it must be strategic and flexible as well. It is the production planner’s job to create and manage production schedules. They are the people who meticulously plan schedules that are strict yet modifiable, strategic, and driven by targets, deadlines, and goals.
When looking to hire a production planner, recruitment managers search for hardworking individuals who are problem-solvers and organized. Before actively searching for candidates, however, it is essential for hiring managers to better understand the needs of the company. What is the work background needed for production planners? Is the company searching for work experience gained from a particular industry? What is the work schedule for the role? Having a clear understanding of the company’s needs enables hiring managers to create a job description.
A job description is a useful way to introduce the company to potential candidates. Through a clear and concise job description, job seekers are kept informed of what the job vacancy is about. They can very much gauge if they are the right fit for the position and apply.
Responsibilities of a Production Planner
The goal of production planners is to have a smooth and efficient flow of production lines and operations. They study all purchase orders for the month or quarter and break them down into weekly achievable goals. With production targets in mind, they develop a weekly production plan aligned with the necessary material, labor, and material requirements. Production planners coordinate the workflow for one or more products of the company and schedule work shifts accordingly.
Additionally, production planners take charge of troubleshooting and managing production issues and resolving concerns as necessary to prevent any delays. They find ways to streamline operations and minimize production costs without affecting the work quality. Lastly, production planners prepare different reports of performance and status production for the management team. These reports include product output, equipment, and costs.
Skills and Qualifications of a Production Planner
To apply as a production planner, most employers prefer candidates to have completed a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, business management, or a similar field. Previous work experience as a production planner is a definite advantage. Candidates with relevant certification in production and inventory management are also preferred.
The ideal candidate for a production planner role has in-depth knowledge of production planning with excellent organization and time management skills. Meeting strict deadlines and prioritization is part of the job. Because production planners engage with many team members and employees daily, strong communication and interpersonal skills are necessary. Candidates are likewise expected to have strong computer skills and must be familiar with industry-related software. Additional qualifications for the position are knowledge of mathematics and statistics and problem-solving skills. Lastly, production planners need to be flexible in dealing with concerns or issues that may come up during production.
