Head of Production Planning and Material Control

Job Summary: The Production Planning and Material Control Specialist/Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring production plans and material requirements to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing costs. This role acts as a critical link between sales, purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production Planning and Scheduling:

  • Develop and maintain detailed production plans and schedules based on sales forecasts, customer orders, capacity constraints, and material availability.

  • Coordinate with sales and marketing teams to understand demand forecasts and translate them into production requirements.

  • Analyze production data, evaluate capacity, and identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

  • Adjust production schedules as needed in response to changing demands, material shortages, equipment breakdowns, or other disruptions.

  • Generate and issue production work orders.

• Material Control and Inventory Management:

  • Determine material requirements (raw materials, components, WIP) using MRP (Material Requirements Planning) systems or other planning tools.

  • Monitor and control inventory levels to prevent shortages, excesses, and obsolescence.

  • Coordinate with the purchasing department to ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials.

  • Conduct regular inventory counts (e.g., cycle counts) and reconcile discrepancies.

  • Implement strategies for inventory optimization, such as Just-In-Time (JIT) where applicable.

  • Manage material flow from receiving to production lines and finished goods warehousing.

• Process Improvement and Optimization:

  • Identify and analyze production data to pinpoint areas for improvement in efficiency, cost reduction, and lead times.

  • Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

  • Participate in cost reduction and productivity improvement programs.

  • Assist in the design and creation of Bills of Material (BOMs) and routing.

• Coordination and Communication:

  • Liaise extensively with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, purchasing, sales, customer service, engineering, and quality control.

  • Communicate production schedules, material status, and any potential issues or delays to relevant stakeholders.

  • Attend regular operations meetings to align priorities and address challenges.

  • Work proactively to resolve issues related to materials or supply chain disruptions.

• Reporting and Analysis:

  • Prepare and maintain various reports on production performance, inventory metrics, on-time delivery, and material usage.

  • Analyze data to identify trends, forecast future needs, and inform decision-making.

  • Advise management on significant variances from planned targets and propose corrective action plans.