Production Planning Specialist

Key Responsibilities 1 Production Plan Development & Scheduling Analyze sales orders, demand forecasts, and production feasibility to create daily/weekly/monthly production plans for assigned product lines (e.g., automotive components, electronic assemblies). Define production sequences, task allocations, and timeline milestones (e.g., 300 units of EV battery brackets to be produced on Line A by Week 2). Use APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) systems or ERP production modules (e.g., SAP PP, Oracle Manufacturing) to optimize scheduling. Prioritize tasks based on order urgency, customer importance, and resource availability (e.g., expedite production for a key client’s rush order without disrupting regular workflows). Align production plans with material availability (coordinating closely with Material Planning Specialists) to avoid "material gaps" that cause production downtime. Adjust plans proactively if materials are delayed or unavailable. 2 Capacity Planning & Load Balancing Evaluate manufacturing capacity (equipment output, labor shifts, workstation availability) to ensure production plans are realistic. Identify potential bottlenecks (e.g., a single critical machine with limited capacity) and propose solutions (e.g., adding a second shift, reallocating tasks to alternative lines). Balance workload across production lines/teams to avoid overutilization (which causes fatigue or equipment breakdowns) or underutilization (which wastes resources). For example, redistribute tasks from a fully loaded Line B to Line C during peak production periods. Collaborate with the Engineering/Maintenance team to factor in equipment maintenance schedules (e.g., planned downtime for machine servicing) when developing long-term production plans. 3 Production Progress Monitoring & Adjustment Track real-time production progress via MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) or shop floor reports. Compare actual output against planned targets (e.g., daily production logs) to identify deviations (e.g., Line A is 20% behind schedule due to a tooling issue). Investigate root causes of delays (equipment failures, labor shortages, quality defects) and implement corrective actions: Coordinate with Maintenance to expedite machine repairs; Reassign skilled workers to critical tasks; Adjust subsequent production sequences to recover lost time (e.g., extend a shift for 1 day to meet weekly targets). Communicate production status updates to stakeholders (Sales, Customer Service, Management) – especially if delays risk missing customer delivery dates. 4 Cross-Departmental Collaboration Act as the key coordinator between Sales, Material Planning, Shop Floor Operations, Quality Assurance (QA), and Engineering teams: Work with Sales to validate order delivery dates (confirming if production can meet requested timelines); Partner with Material Planning Specialists to ensure materials arrive in line with production schedules; Collaborate with Shop Floor Supervisors to resolve execution issues (e.g., unclear work instructions, material shortages); Liaise with QA to address quality defects (e.g., pausing production of a defective batch and adjusting plans to rework or replace it); Support Engineering in integrating new processes/equipment into production plans (e.g., testing a new assembly line before full-scale use). 5 Data Analysis & Performance Reporting Generate regular reports on production KPIs to measure efficiency and identify improvement opportunities: Production plan achievement rate (actual output vs. planned); On-time delivery rate (percentage of orders shipped by customer deadlines); Capacity utilization rate (how effectively equipment/labor is used); Production lead time (time from plan approval to finished goods). Use data tools (Excel Pivot Tables, ERP reports, Power BI) to analyze trends (e.g., seasonal demand spikes, recurring bottlenecks) and propose process optimizations (e.g., adjusting shift patterns for peak seasons, standardizing work processes to reduce lead time). Job Requirements 1 Educational Background Bachelor’s degree or above in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Production Engineering, or a related field. 2 Work Experience 2-3 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations in a manufacturing industry (automotive, electronics, machinery, or consumer goods preferred). Familiarity with end-to-end manufacturing processes (e.g., assembly lines, batch production, lean manufacturing) is mandatory. Experience working in a high-volume or JIT (Just-In-Time) production environment (e.g., automotive parts manufacturing) is a plus. 3 Technical & System Skills Proficiency in production planning tools: APS systems (e.g., Kinaxis, Preactor) or ERP production modules (SAP PP, Oracle Manufacturing, 用友 U9); MES systems (e.g., Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell FactoryTalk) for tracking shop floor execution. Strong data analysis skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Formulas) for report creation; basic knowledge of SQL or data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) is preferred. Understanding of lean manufacturing principles (JIT, Kanban, 5S) and production optimization techniques (e.g., bottleneck analysis) is required. 4 Soft Skills Excellent organizational and time-management abilities: Ability to manage multiple production lines/plans simultaneously and prioritize tasks under tight deadlines. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills: Ability to react quickly to production disruptions (e.g., equipment failures) and make data-driven adjustments. Effective communication skills: Ability to explain technical production plans to non-technical stakeholders (e.g., Sales teams) and coordinate with shop floor workers. Detail-oriented mindset: Ability to spot errors in production schedules (e.g., conflicting task allocations) and ensure plan accuracy. Resilience under pressure: Ability to handle peak production periods or unexpected delays without compromising quality or safety. 5 Language Proficiency English: Professional working proficiency (written and spoken) – ability to communicate with global teams (e.g., regional manufacturing hubs) and review English system documentation/orders. Local language proficiency (e.g., Thai for Thailand-based roles, Mandarin for China-based roles) – required for daily coordination with local shop floor teams, supervisors, and suppliers.