Production Control Specialist - Shipping Planner in Hogansville, Georgia at Mando America Corp

Job Purpose:

The Shipping Planner is responsible for managing customer shipping requirements, shipment planning activities, and logistics coordination to ensure on-time delivery, accurate inventory control, and compliance with customer expectations. This position works closely with Production, Material Control, Sales, PM, and R&D to balance customer demand, production capacity, inventory levels, and logistics requirements.

Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned as needed):

1. Shipment Planning

• Develop and maintain daily and weekly shipment plans based on customer demand, inventory availability, production schedules, and logistics constraints.
• Optimize carrier appointment schedules to minimize loading/unloading delays and prevent detention charges.
• Adjust shipment schedules on a daily basis in response to demand fluctuations, carrier updates, shipping dock capacity, and material shortages.
• Communicate to Logistics Supervisor and related teams when to collect, package and ship materials to other HL Mando sites. Maintain all essential documentation and complete inventory transactions.

2. Customer Demand Management

• Monitor customer EDI releases, forecasts, and shipping schedules daily to identify demand changes and potential risks.
• Analyze demand fluctuations and communicate changes to all related teams.
• Ensure customer requirements are reflected accurately in shipping plans.
• Ensure invoices are submitted in customer portals (as applicable) in timely manner.

3. Customer Packaging and Logistics Requirements

• Establish and maintain consistent access to all customer and carrier portals.
• Check customer portals for any updated requirements on a weekly basis to ensure proper compliance. If expectations are not clear, contact customer logistics team directly to verify.
• Clearly communicate detailed customer requirements and expectations to Logistics Supervisor and shipping team to ensure shipments are properly packaged, banded, labeled, and staged for pickup.
• Submit packaging proposals for customer approval as needed based on each customers’ guidelines.

4. Finished Goods Inventory Control

• Monitor finished goods inventory to ensure sufficient coverage for scheduled pickups.
• Coordinate with Production Planner to verify timing if inventory is not sufficient.
• Develop and communicate earliest recovery plans to customers and carriers as needed.
• Conduct weekly PI to ensure physical inventory and system inventory is properly matched.
• Monitor inventory transactions to ensure accuracy after each sales order is closed.
• Identify root causes of inventory discrepancies and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.
• Ensure all inventory movements are accurately recorded and comply with company procedures and inventory control standards.

5. Logistics Performance Monitoring

• Monitor customer scorecard status (Logistics/Delivery) to ensure full compliance.
• Monitor shipping performance to ensure timely ASN submission.
• Review weekly AR Chargeback report to assess if issues occurred due to logistics non-compliance.
• Submit corresponding memos for approval by providing detailed supporting documentation.

6. Cross-functional Coordination

• Coordinate with: PE, Production, Quality (CS/PQ/SQ), Purchasing, PC, MC, R&D, SD, PM, Sales
• Resolve issues affecting shipment schedules (carrier delays, demand fluctuations, etc.)
• Support customer requirements through effective communication across departments.
• Cross-training and essential task fulfillment may be required in event of Logistics Supervisor absence.

7. Risk Management

• Identify potential risks associated with Logistics.
• Develop mitigation plans for supply interruptions related to logistics.
• Coordinate contingency plans when necessary.
• Support root cause analysis for logistics issues

8. System & Master Data Management

• Maintain system accuracy to ensure sales orders, transfer requests, and labels are properly updated.
• Support system improvements related to logistics planning.
• Review and communicate necessary system modifications to improve shipment planning processes.

9. Reporting & KPI Management

• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and logistics compliance and chargeback reduction reports.
• Support KPI reporting to management and Global Headquarters.
• Analyze logistics performance, delivery performance, inventory, and customer scorecard status.
• Participate in global KPI review meetings as necessary
• Prepare and submit a weekly work activity report to the Production Control Sr Manager, summarizing completed work, progress, outstanding issues, and planned follow-up actions.

10. Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify improvement opportunities related to assigned responsibilities, work processes, and system utilization to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives for daily work processes and monitor the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Submit a monthly Continuous Improvement (CI) activity report to the Production Control Manager summarizing improvement ideas, implementation progress, and measurable results.
• Complete and document at least one (1) Continuous Improvement project annually, demonstrating measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, delivery, or process efficiency.

13. Inventory Audit Management

• Participate in scheduled inventory audits conducted monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually to verify physical inventory accuracy and reconcile discrepancies between system records and actual inventory.
• Support investigation of inventory variances, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy and maintain proper inventory control.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (4-year college) in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 1 years of experience in Production Control, Engineering Change Management, Supply Chain, or a related manufacturing environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to prepare, review, and respond to technical and business documentation
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power point, including XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, IF, SUMIFS, PivotTables, and data analysis.
• Experience with SAP (PP/MM), MRP, and ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• The normal work hours for this role are 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Subject to change based on business needs
• Must be willing to report to work earlier or remain later than the normal work schedule, as business needs require, particularly to support production issues, customer requirements, or other operational priorities.
• Must be available to respond to logistics and business-related communications outside of normal working hours when operational support is required.
• If unavailable for any reason during periods when business support may reasonably be expected, the employee is responsible for notifying the manager in advance
• Demonstrate flexibility and a strong sense of ownership by supporting urgent production issues whenever necessary to minimize operational impact.

Legal Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age due to federal labor law requirements.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent work in both office and manufacturing floor environments to support shipment planning, scheduling, inventory control, and shop floor coordination.
• Frequent interaction with production, logistics, quality, maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to monitor shipping status and resolve operational issues.
• Frequent exposure to manufacturing environments including noise, moving machinery, and energizedequipment, with limited exposure to dust, chemicals, and other industrial conditions.
• Frequent presence in production areas, material flow areas, and warehouse locations to verify inventoryaccuracy, monitor logistics progress, and support operational activities.
• Frequent requirement to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety shoes, eye protection, and hearing protection while accessing manufacturing areas.
• Constant use of computers, ERP/MES systems, production control systems, and standard office equipment for planning, reporting, data analysis, and communication.
• Occasional overtime, weekend work, and schedule adjustments may be required to support logistics requirements, customer demand changes, and operational priorities.
• Rare business travel may be required to support supplier coordination, operational reviews, or company Initiatives
• Ability to work from home is critical to ensure necessary customer and operational requirements can be met.

Success Profile:

The successful Shipping Planner demonstrates strong knowledge of automotive logistics, customer delivery requirements, EDI processes, inventory control, and ERP systems. This role requires the ability to effectively plan shipments by balancing customer demand, production schedules, inventory levels, and logistics constraints while proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks.

The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple functions and clearly communicate customer requirements, priorities, and recovery plans. The Shipping Planner takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, maintains a strong customer-focused mindset, drives continuous improvement, and consistently supports operational excellence through accurate planning, timely execution, and effective cross-functional coordination.

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health, dental & vision insurance, life insurance and other supplemental benefits, 401(k) plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: HL Mando is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability status.

HL Mando America Corporation (HL MCA) does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from search firms, staffing agencies, or recruiters.

Any resume or candidate information submitted to HL MCA employees via email, the internet, or any other method without a valid, written agreement authorized by HL MCA’s HR Operations for the applicable position will be considered the sole property of HL MCA.

HL MCA will not be responsible for any fees, commissions, or other charges associated with unsolicited submissions. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited referral or through any other means.

Only search firms, staffing agencies, or recruiters that have an active, written agreement with HL MCA and have been specifically authorized by HL MCA HR Operations to support a particular position may submit candidates for consideration.