Production Planner in Stratford, Connecticut at Westport Precision Partners LLC

Job Title: Production Planner

Department: Operations / Manufacturing

Reports To: Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Production Planner is responsible for coordinating and planning production schedules to ensure efficient workflow, on-time delivery, and optimal use of labor, equipment, and materials within a sheet metal manufacturing environment. This role works closely with production, purchasing, engineering, customer service, and warehouse teams to balance customer demand with manufacturing capacity while maintaining quality and operational efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and manage daily and weekly production schedules based on customer requirements, material availability, labor capacity, and machine capabilities.
• Monitor customer portal daily to confirm orders, pricing, and order entry.
• Consistent and thorough communication with account manager.
• Review customer orders, forecasts, and demand requirements to establish production priorities.
• Coordinate workflow across manufacturing departments including laser cutting, punching, forming, machining, welding, fabrication, finishing, and assembly operations.
• Monitor work order progress and adjust schedules as needed to address changes in priorities, material shortages, machine downtime, or customer needs.
• Work with purchasing to ensure timely procurement and availability of raw materials, hardware, and production supplies.
• Communicate production schedules and priorities to supervisors and production teams.
• Analyze production capacity and identify bottlenecks that could impact throughput and delivery commitments.
• Track key performance metrics including on-time delivery, schedule attainment, work-in-process levels, and production efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering regarding product changes, revisions, and manufacturing requirements.
• Maintain accurate data and scheduling information within ERP/MRP systems.
• Assist with inventory planning and management to support production needs while minimizing excess inventory.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to production flow and planning processes.
• Participate in production meetings and provide status updates regarding scheduling and capacity concerns.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of production planning or scheduling experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in sheet metal fabrication, machining, or metal manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of manufacturing processes including sheet metal fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly operations.
• Knowledge of production scheduling and capacity planning principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced organizational and time-management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to interpret production reports, work orders, and manufacturing data.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use standard office equipment.
• Occasional walking through manufacturing and production areas.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to work in an industrial manufacturing environment and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Environment

This position operates in both an office and manufacturing setting. The manufacturing environment may include exposure to moving machinery, noise, heat, dust, and other industrial conditions. Required PPE must be worn in designated areas.