Production Planner at Simplex Inc – Springfield, Illinois

Summary: The Production Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating an executable production schedule across Simplex’s Engineer-to-Order (ETO) environment. This role balances customer demand, engineering readiness, material availability, labor capacity, and known constraints to protect flow, delivery commitments, and floor stability.

Duties

· Own and maintain a companywide, integrated production schedule spanning Engineering, Fabrication, Welding, Paint, Assembly, Wiring, Testing, and Shipment across multiple business units.

· Sequence work to support flow through constraints, with particular focus on wiring and downstream dependencies.

· Manage work release to maintain appropriate WIP levels and prevent congestion on the production floor.

· Adjust schedules dynamically based on engineering changes, material shortages, labor availability, and priority shifts.

· Partner closely with Engineering to confirm job readiness prior to release.

· Work with Purchasing and Materials to verify material availability and manage shortages or expedites.

· Coordinate with Operations, Supervisors, and Team Leads to validate capacity and execution plans.

· Communicate schedule changes, risks, and priorities clearly to leadership and the production floor.

· Own schedule accuracy, data integrity, and version control.

· Experience in production planning or scheduling within a manufacturing environment (ETO experience strongly preferred).

· Strong understanding of capacity planning, constraints management, and production flow.

· Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor preferred) and Microsoft Excel; SharePoint experience a plus.

· Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.

· Ability to remain calm, organized, and decisive in a high-variability environment.

· Strong attention to detail and organizational ability

· Ability to identify key requirements needed to build an executable production schedule

· Proven problem-solving skills and ability to work under demanding deadlines

· Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate in written and verbal formats