Job Overview:The Director of Master Planning is responsible for leading the development and execution of comprehensive master production schedules to support our manufacturing operations. This role requires strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to optimize production efficiency, minimize lead times, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Production Planning: Develop and implement strategic production plans and master schedules to meet customer demand while maximizing production efficiency and resource utilization. Ensure alignment of production schedules with sales forecasts, inventory targets, and operational capacity.
- Demand Forecasting and Analysis: Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams to forecast demand and analyze market trends, customer preferences, and product lifecycle data. Use statistical models and forecasting techniques to anticipate future demand and adjust production plans accordingly.
- Capacity Planning and Optimization: Evaluate production capacity, labor resources, and equipment availability to identify constraints and optimize production schedules. Implement capacity planning strategies to balance workload, minimize bottlenecks, and maintain optimal production levels.
- Inventory Management: Work closely with inventory management teams to optimize inventory levels and minimize excess inventory and stockouts. Develop inventory replenishment strategies to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components to support production schedules.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams including production, procurement, logistics, engineering, and quality assurance to align production plans with overall business objectives. Foster effective communication and collaboration to address production-related challenges and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to monitor production performance, schedule adherence, and on-time delivery. Analyze production data and performance metrics to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for optimization.
- Process Improvement and Optimization: Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline production processes, reduce lead times, and enhance operational efficiency. Implement best practices and process optimization methodologies to drive cost savings and improve overall productivity.
- Team Leadership and Development: Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the master planning team. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation to drive team performance and achieve departmental objectives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or master planning, with 5 years in a leadership role.
- Proven track record of successfully developing and executing production plans and master schedules in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis, forecasting, and capacity planning.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- In-depth knowledge of production planning principles, scheduling techniques, and supply chain management concepts.
- Experience with ERP systems, production planning software, and data analytics tools.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively manage competing priorities.
