Production Planner in Traverse City, Michigan at Texas Hydraulics Inc
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Job Description
Production Planner
Why Join Oilgear
At Oilgear, we design and manufacture high-performance hydraulic systems that power some of the world’s most demanding industrial applications. Our employees play a critical role in our success, and we are committed to providing a safe, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. At Oilgear, you’ll work with advanced technology, contribute to meaningful products, and be part of a team that values quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Summary:
The Production Planner owns the production schedule for the Traverse City facility, balancing customer demand, material availability, and shop-floor capacity. This role determines production sequencing and priority, maintains Material Requirements Planning (MRP) integrity, and sets recovery priorities for past-due order backlogs. The Production Planner works cross-functionally with Production, Purchasing, and Sales, analyzing constraints, resolving material shortages, and maintaining min-max inventory parameters within approved targets to maximize on-time order delivery.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties:
Production Scheduling & Backlog Recovery
- Own and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS), determining production sequencing and order release timing, to support efficient utilization of plant capacity while meeting customer delivery commitments.
- Determine backlog recovery priorities, tracking clear-to-build (CTB) status and establishing action plans to resolve past-due orders.
- Perform capacity planning across key work centers to identify bottlenecks and determine level-loading of shop floor schedules.
- Evaluate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) for inventory and schedule impact, recommending ERP effectivity dates and determining phase-in/phase-out cut-over timing.
MRP Integrity & Material Coordination
- Establish and maintain accuracy of MRP data, including lead times, yields, routings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Monitor short-part lists and partner with Purchasing and Logistics to determine resolution paths for supply line disruptions.
- Monitor and partner with Purchasing to set safety stock, reorder points, and min-max parameters, balancing inventory carrying cost against stockout and line-down risk.
Cross-Functional Communication
- Serve as an operational point of contact between Sales, Customer Service, Procurement, and Shop Floor Leadership.
- Support Sales with customer quote requests by analyzing capacity and material lead times to determine and provide Available-to-Promise (ATP) delivery dates.
- Communicate schedule risks and constraints to internal teams and leadership as needed.
- Maintain open, two-way communication with the Production Manager on production schedule changes, ensuring any adjustments are reflected in the schedule and MRP data.
- Participate in daily/weekly production control meetings.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects.
- Accountable for on-time delivery, schedule adherence, and past-due backlog reduction for the facility.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED; Associate or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in scheduling, production planning, or materials coordination within a manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (Epicor preferred).
- Strong Excel skills for calculations, tracking, and reporting.
- Ability to read and interpret BOMs, routings, and work instructions.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in hydraulic, fluid power, or industrial manufacturing.
- Familiarity with ECN processes and ERP effectivity date management.
- APICS/CPIM or similar supply chain/production planning certification.
What We Offer
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Optional hospital, critical illness, and accident insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Safety shoe reimbursement program
- Safety glasses reimbursement program
- Tuition assistance up to $5,000 per year
Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodation Statement
The Oilgear Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The Oilgear Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws. Applicants or employees requiring accommodation may contact Human Resources.
Employment Status Statement
Employment with The Oilgear Company is at-will. This means that either the employee or The Oilgear Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this job description or any other Company document should be interpreted as a contract of employment, an offer of continued employment, or a guarantee of employment for any specific duration.