Production Planner at ELAN INDUSTRIES INC – Bolingbrook, Illinois

Company Overview:

Elan Industries designs and manufactures electronic appliance controls in Bolingbrook, IL. Our customers are residential and commercial OEMs; you experience Elan controls when you eat a pizza, get ice in your drink, enjoy a warm home, have a clean plate in a restaurant or get a vaccine. We are a leader in the markets we serve by doing things the right way. Appliances perform better with Elan controls inside.

We are constantly adding new customers and controls into production and our ERP/MRP systems are growing in kind. We are looking for people who do things the right way with existing methods and are open, thoughtful and engaged as we review and improve upon them.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and driven Production Planner to join our high-performance operations team for a growing designer and manufacturer of custom electronic controls. This role is responsible for converting demand signals into executable production schedules, ensuring materials availability, minimizing lead times, and optimizing inventory levels. The ideal candidate has experience in electronic manufacturing, proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, and a passion for process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Current
  • Develop, maintain, and adjust the Master Production Schedule (MPS) to align with forecasted and actual demand, capacity, and inventory targets.
  • Translate customer orders and sales forecasts into efficient production plans using ERP/MRP software (SAGE, MiSYS, etc.).
  • Ensure accuracy of current BOMs, routing data, and capacity definitions in the ERP system.
  • Perform capacity planning to ensure labor, equipment, and materials meet production goals.
• Future
  • Monitor and improve KPIs including On-Time Delivery (OTD), inventory turns, schedule adherence, and lead time reduction.
  • Mitigate supply chain risks and forecast variability through scenario planning and buffer strategies.
  • Support Lean manufacturing principles—Kanban, pull systems, Just-in-Time (JIT), and continuous improvement.
  • Drive cross-functional Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) with Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and Production teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of production planning experience in a high-mix, low-volume electronics or discrete manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAGE, MiSYS, a plus)
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, Power Query).
• Strong knowledge of BOM structures, routing logic, shop floor control, and inventory optimization strategies.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across teams and leadership levels.
• Proven ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced production environment.
• Experience applying Lean/Continuous Improvement methodologies (5S, Kaizen, RCA).

Preferred Competencies

• APICS/CPIM or CSCP Certification
• Experience implementing or upgrading ERP systems
• Exposure to automated scheduling tools, finite capacity planning, and shop floor MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
• Data-driven mindset with ability to create dashboards using BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Knowledge of electronic component sourcing constraints and global supply chain dynamics

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a fast-growing electronic controls manufacturer known for quality, innovation, and agility.
• Work in a collaborative environment with cross-functional exposure and upward mobility.
• Gain hands-on experience with modern tools, technology, and impactful process improvements.