Senior Planning Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Production Planning is responsible for leading the overall production planning function to ensure efficient utilization of resources, timely delivery of customer orders, optimal inventory levels, and alignment with business objectives. This role oversees demand planning, master production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, and cross-functional coordination to support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

The incumbent will work closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Warehouse, Engineering, and Quality teams to develop and execute production plans that balance customer demand, production capacity, and inventory targets.

Principal Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling
Develop and oversee short-term, mid-term, and long-term production plans to meet customer requirements and business targets.
Lead the Master Production Schedule (MPS) process and ensure alignment with sales forecasts and operational capabilities.
Monitor production performance and adjust schedules to address changing priorities, material shortages, equipment downtime, or customer requirements.
Ensure production plans maximize resource utilization while maintaining service levels and inventory objectives.

Demand & Capacity Planning
Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to review demand forecasts and translate them into executable production plans.
Conduct capacity planning analysis to identify constraints and recommend solutions to meet future demand.
Drive Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and business goals.

Inventory Management
Establish inventory strategies to optimize raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods inventory levels.
Monitor inventory performance and implement actions to reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
Ensure adequate material availability to support production requirements while minimizing carrying costs.

Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop the Production Planning team to achieve departmental objectives.
Establish performance goals, conduct regular reviews, and provide ongoing development opportunities.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Procurement to ensure timely material availability.
Work closely with Manufacturing to optimize production efficiency and resolve planning-related issues.
Coordinate with Engineering and Quality teams on new product introductions, engineering changes, and process improvements.
Engage with senior stakeholders to communicate production risks, mitigation plans, and operational performance.

Continuous Improvement
Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives within planning and scheduling processes.
Analyze production and planning data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
Lead system enhancements and digitalization initiatives related to planning processes and ERP systems.

Compliance & Reporting
Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
Prepare and present production planning reports, KPIs, and operational performance metrics to senior management.
Develop contingency plans to manage supply disruptions and business continuity risks.

Education / Experience Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
Master's Degree or professional certification (APICS CPIM/CSCP, Lean Six Sigma) is an advantage.

Experience
Minimum 10–15 years of experience in Production Planning, Supply Chain, or Operations Management within a manufacturing environment.
At least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role.
Experience in high-volume manufacturing, medical devices, electronics, automotive, or industrial manufacturing environments is preferred.
Strong experience in ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent.

Specialized Skills / Other Requirements