Overview: As the Vice President of Production Planning, you will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the production planning processes within our organization. Your role will be critical in ensuring efficient utilization of resources, timely delivery of products, and alignment with overall business goals. You will lead a team of production planners, collaborating closely with various departments including operations, supply chain, sales, and finance.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning: Develop and implement production planning strategies aligned with organizational objectives, ensuring scalability and adaptability to changing market dynamics.
Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of production planners, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Resource Allocation: Optimize resource utilization including manpower, equipment, and materials to meet production targets while minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency.
Demand Forecasting: Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams to accurately forecast demand, ensuring adequate inventory levels and production capacity to meet customer requirements.
Production Scheduling: Develop and maintain production schedules, balancing production capacities with demand fluctuations and ensuring on-time delivery of products.
Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and enhance production planning processes and systems to drive efficiency, reduce lead times, and improve overall performance.
Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions to production schedules and ensure business continuity.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including operations, procurement, logistics, and quality assurance to streamline processes and resolve issues effectively.
Performance Metrics: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate production planning performance, implementing corrective actions as necessary to achieve targets.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards related to production planning and scheduling.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in operations management, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, and operations management, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving common goals.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and implement process improvements.
Advanced knowledge of production planning software and ERP systems.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively manage multiple priorities.
Strong understanding of supply chain principles and practices, including inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics.
Proven track record of driving operational excellence and achieving measurable results in production planning and scheduling.
Certification in production and inventory management (e.g., APICS CPIM) is a plus.