Production Planning Engineer

The Production Planning Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to drive operational efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure timely production. This role requires a hands‑on approach to process analysis, production/capacity planning, and cross‑functional collaboration with design engineering, continuous improvement engineers, quality, and supply chain teams. Success in this role will be measured by improvements in cycle time, productivity, cost reduction, throughput, and product quality.

• Develop, maintain, and adjust short‑ and long‑term production schedules based on order forecasts, inventory levels, and labor availability.
• Coordinate with procurement and supply chain to ensure materials are available for production, aligning schedules to prevent disruptions.
• Collaborate with production supervisors and floor teams to adjust schedules dynamically in response to unplanned events, equipment downtime, or staffing shortages.
• Conduct time studies, workflow analyses, and bottleneck assessments to identify efficiency opportunities and waste reduction.
• Apply Lean principles (6S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping) to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
• Lead and participate in cross‑functional Kaizen events and continuous improvement projects, developing actionable recommendations and implementing process changes to achieve measurable results.
• Perform process capability analysis.
• Evaluate plant capacity and equipment utilization regularl
• Recommend adjustments to staffing levels, shift configurations, and machine usage to optimize throughput and balance workload.
• Develop and maintain capacity models to anticipate production constraints for short‑term fluctuations and long‑term growth.
• Work with inventory control and materials teams to develop inventory policies, reorder points, and safety stock levels based on demand patterns and lead times.
• Monitor and report on inventory levels, identifying excess stock or shortages, and implementing strategies to improve inventory turnover and reduce carrying costs.
• Support material planning efforts by coordinating Kanban or Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) initiatives where applicable.
• Conduct detailed cost analyses for production processes, considering material, labor, equipment, and overhead costs.
• Develop and implement cost‑saving strategies through process redesign, waste reduction, and improved resource allocation.
• Track performance metrics (KPIs) such as cycle time, yield, and defect rates, using data to drive continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a liaison among production, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to resolve issues, improve product flow, and support new product introductions.
• Actively participate in project teams, contributing technical insights and feasibility assessments for design changes, product modifications, or equipment upgrades.
• Lead regular meetings to review production progress, address challenges, and align cross‑functional priorities.
• Create and maintain accurate technical documents, including process maps, SOPs, and work instructions to ensure consistent and efficient manufacturing practices.
• Develop daily standard work routines and performance tracking for shop floor staff to support process consistency and operational excellence.
• Ensure all technical documentation aligns with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Collaborate closely with design engineering to integrate design specifications, improvements, and updates into technical documentation, ensuring manufacturing processes reflect the latest engineering developments.
• Work closely with the Quality team to address quality issues promptly, using root cause analysis (e.g., Fishbone, 5 Whys) to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO, OSHA), conduct safety audits and support corrective actions where needed.
• Drive process improvements focused on defect reduction, enhanced quality control, and adherence to quality standards.
• Train production staff on new or revised processes, ensuring they understand operational changes…