Production Planner

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Production Planner to join a manufacturing team based in Wicklow, Ireland. This pivotal role focuses on enhancing control, visibility, and consistency in production scheduling by managing a realistic, well-organized production plan aligned with customer demand and factory capabilities. The successful candidate will build an integrated view of demand and production, connecting sales forecasts, confirmed orders, and current manufacturing work to improve forecasting and delivery efficiency.

Role Responsibilities

• Create and maintain an accurate, achievable schedule for production activities.
• Convert incoming customer orders into clear, structured production plans.
• Forecast and manage production capacity considering labor and work centers.
• Develop a forward-looking demand overview by combining sales forecasts, confirmed orders, and work in progress.
• Incorporate data from supply chain, production, and quality systems to ensure plans reflect current and precise information.
• Provide clear visibility on workloads, constraints, and priorities throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Determine and monitor realistic lead times based on type of product and production requirements.
• Oversee schedule adherence proactively, addressing delays and bottlenecks.
• Collaborate closely with production teams to ensure clear communication and execution of plans.
• Coordinate with delivery and installation teams by providing timely and accurate information to support customer commitments.
• Report regularly on capacity status, lead times, and delivery performance metrics.
• Support continuous process and data quality improvements within planning functions.

Key Deliverables

• Enhanced control and precision over production lead times.
• Comprehensive understanding and forward visibility of production capacity.
• Improved synchronization between order intake and production output.
• Increased on-time delivery rates.
• A trusted and efficiently managed production schedule.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of five years’ experience in production planning or scheduling within a manufacturing setting.
• Degree-level qualification in Business Studies, Materials Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• Strong grasp of capacity planning, scheduling, and lead time management methodologies.
• Familiarity with utilizing production data and planning systems such as SAP ERP or equivalents.
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail.
• Effective communicator able to liaise with shop floor personnel and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborative mindset focused on team-oriented goals and performance improvement.
• Proactive approach targeting enhanced operational outcomes.

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Experience working in dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environments with diverse products.
• Comfortable engaging hands-on with shop floor operations.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to build cross-team relationships.
• Proven track record of leading process improvement projects achieving measurable gains.
• Analytical problem-solving skills utilizing a data-driven decision-making process.
• Leadership ability with motivational communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Capability in managing and delivering improvement initiatives punctually.
• Enthusiastic and willing to be present on the manufacturing floor to identify challenges and direct enhancements.
• Fluent in English with excellent communication skills.
• Must have full, permanent authorization to work in Ireland.

Additional Notes

Residence in Wicklow or within a convenient commuting distance is required. This role offers significant career progression potential aligned with the company’s expansion goals. Candidates interested in this opportunity should comply with all eligibility requirements and be prepared for close collaboration across multiple functions including sales, production, supply chain, and delivery teams.