How to Be Production Planner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 15, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Poor planning in production can lead to a number of negative consequences, such as supply chain disruption, increased costs, and decreased customer satisfaction. Without a proper plan in place, manufacturers may be unable to keep up with customer demand, resulting in stock outs or late shipments. This can lead to dissatisfied customers who may turn to competitors for their needs.

manufacturers may have to pay more for last-minute orders or rush deliveries, driving up costs and reducing overall profit. Finally, production bottlenecks can create a backlog in the entire supply chain, leading to long wait times and missed deadlines. For these reasons, it is essential for businesses to have an effective production plan in place to ensure that all of their operations run smoothly.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a production planner is to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, industrial engineering, operations management, or supply chain management.
Gain Relevant Work Experience. Working in a related field, such as supply chain management or operations management, can be beneficial for obtaining a job as a production planner.
Obtain Certification. Becoming certified as a production planner can help demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field. Certification is available through the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).
Develop Knowledge and Skills. Production planners must have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. They must also be knowledgeable in manufacturing processes, inventory control, and quality assurance.
Become Familiar with Computer Software. Production planners must be skilled in the use of computer software such as Microsoft Excel and Access.

The success of any production plan depends on the skill and efficiency of the planner. An effective planner must possess the ability to assess the current situation, identify the goals, develop strategies, and execute the plan in a timely manner. They must also have strong communication skills in order to effectively coordinate with other team members and stakeholders.

the planner should be highly organized and have an extensive knowledge of production processes. By having these key skills, a production planner can effectively create plans that will lead to successful outcomes.

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Job Description

Develop production plans that meet customer requirements and optimize efficiency.
Monitor production to ensure it meets quality standards, customer requirements, and production goals.
Analyze current production processes and recommend changes to increase productivity.
Evaluate new products and processes for manufacturability.
Coordinate with other departments to ensure materials and supplies are available for production.
Calculate lead times, production requirements, and materials needed for production.
Develop and implement strategies for improving production efficiency and reducing costs.
Track inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods to ensure adequate supplies.
Monitor production schedules and adjust as needed to meet customer deadlines.
Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to secure materials and supplies for production.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong organizational skills
Knowledge of production planning and scheduling
Ability to analyze data and develop effective plans
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects
Experience working with various computer software programs, such as MS Office, Oracle, and SAP
Excellent problem-solving skills
Knowledge of material requirements planning (MRP) and inventory control systems
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Strong attention to detail
Understanding of safety and quality standards
Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles

A Production Planner must possess a variety of skills in order to be successful. The most important skill is the ability to plan and organize production processes. A Production Planner should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, be able to prioritize tasks, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

They should also be able to manage multiple projects at once and be knowledgeable about the production process. they should be familiar with the latest trends in production technology and have a good understanding of supply chain management. Having these skills will enable them to develop effective production plans that will optimize resources and ensure that product quality is maintained.

Furthermore, having these skills will help the Production Planner create efficient production schedules, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

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Frequent Interview Questions

How do you approach creating production plans?
Describe your experience in streamlining production processes.
How do you prioritize tasks when creating production plans?
How do you ensure that production plans are achievable?
What strategies have you used to reduce production waste?
What have been your most successful production plan implementations?
How do you stay organized and updated on production plans?
What challenges have you faced when creating production plans?
How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure successful production plans?
How do you identify areas of improvement in production processes?

Common Tools in Industry

ERP System. Enterprise resource planning system used to manage and integrate business processes, from purchasing to inventory management to customer service. (e. g. SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite)
MRP System. Material requirements planning system used to manage and optimize production scheduling, inventory levels, and purchasing. (e. g. SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite)
MPS System. Master production scheduling system used to plan production activities and resource allocation over time. (e. g. Preactor, Quintiq)
Capacity Planning Tool. Tool used to analyze capacity utilization and analyze production performance. (e. g. Microsoft Excel, Tableau)
Scheduling Software. Software used to create and maintain a production schedule based on material availability, customer orders, and other constraints. (e. g. E2 Shop System, Visual Manufacturing)
Supply Chain Management Software. Software used to track materials and manage the flow of product from suppliers to customers. (e. g. JDA, OMS)
Inventory Management Software. Software used to track inventory levels and forecast demand for products. (e. g. Fishbowl Inventory, TradeGecko)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA)
Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)
National Association of Manufacturing (NAM)
National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
Supply Chain Council (SCC)
Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP)
Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)

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Common Important Terms

Capacity Planning. The process of determining the production capacity needed by an organization to meet changing demands for its products.
Inventory Management. The process of managing the inventory of a business to ensure it is at the right level to meet customer demand.
Production Scheduling. The process of determining when and how much of each product will be produced to meet customer demand.
Supply Chain Management. The process of organizing, managing, and controlling the flow of materials and products from suppliers to customers.
Quality Assurance. The process of ensuring that products meet specified quality requirements before they are released for sale.
Lean Manufacturing. An approach to production that seeks to eliminate unnecessary waste and maximize efficiency.
Demand Forecasting. The process of predicting future customer demand for a product or service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Production Planner?

A Production Planner is a professional responsible for creating and maintaining production plans and schedules to ensure that manufacturing operations are efficient and cost-effective. They are responsible for coordinating resources, monitoring production progress, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.

What skills are needed to be a Production Planner?

Production Planners need to have strong organizational skills, be able to work with a variety of stakeholders, and possess excellent problem-solving skills. They should also have a good understanding of production processes and techniques, be familiar with scheduling software, and have knowledge of inventory management, budgeting, and cost control principles.

What are the main responsibilities of a Production Planner?

The main responsibilities of a Production Planner include creating and managing production plans and schedules, coordinating resources, monitoring production progress, and troubleshooting any issues that arise. They must also monitor inventory levels to ensure that materials and components are available for production and manage production costs to keep the process on budget.

What is the average salary for a Production Planner?

The average salary for a Production Planner is $59,164 per year. Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and industry.

What are the benefits of being a Production Planner?

The benefits of being a Production Planner include working with a variety of stakeholders, having the opportunity to improve processes and increase efficiency, and developing problem-solving skills. Additionally, Production Planners may gain experience in budgeting, cost control principles, inventory management, and scheduling software.