Specialist, Production Planning

Position Purpose:

The Production & Demand Planner is responsible for balancing customer demand with production and supply planning to ensure timely delivery, optimal inventory levels, and efficient resource utilization. They act as a bridge between sales, operations, and procurement, aligning forecasting, scheduling, and materials management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Demand Planning: Analyze sales trends, customer forecasts, and market data to develop accurate demand plans.
• Production Scheduling: Create and maintain detailed production schedules based on forecasted demand, inventory levels, and available capacity.
• Material Planning: Work with procurement teams to ensure raw materials and components are available on time to meet production needs.
• Capacity Analysis: Evaluate production capacity and adjust planning to optimize resource utilization and minimize bottlenecks.
• Inventory Management: Maintain appropriate inventory levels to avoid stockouts or overstocking, using inventory control best practices.
• Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): Participate actively in S&OP processes, providing insights on production capabilities, lead times, and demand fluctuations.
• Monitoring and Adjustments: Track daily production progress, adjust schedules as necessary, and communicate changes proactively to stakeholders.
• Reporting and Analytics: Provide regular reports on production performance, forecast accuracy, inventory turnover, and supply chain KPIs.

SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS

In addition to the performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the particular requirements of the company.

• Cross-functional Communication: Serve as a key link between sales, operations, purchasing, and logistics teams to ensure synchronization of demand and supply plans.
• Represent Leli’s brand values: Safety, Responsibility, and Confidence.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Adaptability – Ability to navigate and lead through change in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic Thinking – A proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate challenges and identify solutions.
• Attention to Detail – Strong focus on accuracy and quality in operational execution.
• Resilience – Ability to stay composed and solution-focused under pressure, leading by example.
• Collaboration – Works well with teams and able to negotiate with partners to achieve business success.
• Initiative – Self-motivated with a drive to improve processes and drive results.
• Integrity – Upholds ethical standards and promotes transparency in decision-making.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing workflows, inventory management, and forecasting principles.
• Strong communication and coordination skills across departments.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data modeling) and ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent).

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• 2–4 years of experience in production planning, demand planning, or supply chain roles.