About this opportunity
Cognesense lists this Production Planner opportunity in hillside, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
ROLE MANDATE
Support manufacturing planning and scheduling operations for U.S. brands by developing accurate demand forecasts, optimizing production schedules, managing lead times, and ensuring seamless coordination between sales, operations, and inventory to drive on-time delivery and operational efficiency.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Demand Forecasting & Sales Planning
Develop accurate demand forecasts based on sales pipeline, historical trends, and market analysis
Collaborate with Sales and Operations to align forecasts with business objectives
Monitor and adjust forecasts based on customer orders and market conditions
Prepare monthly demand plans and rolling forecasts
Support new product introductions and demand planning for specialty products
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Master Scheduling & Production Planning
Create and maintain master production schedules (MPS) for all manufacturing facilities
Balance supply and demand while optimizing production efficiency
Coordinate production schedules across multiple product lines and facilities
Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts and capacity constraints
Generate MRP (Material Requirements Planning) runs and manage schedule changes
Support just-in-time (JIT) production where applicable
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Lead Time & On-Time Delivery Management
Monitor and optimize product lead times in coordination with Inventory Manager
Track on-time delivery metrics and identify improvement opportunities
Analyze and reduce manufacturing and procurement lead times
Manage customer delivery commitments and communicate realistic timelines
Support expedited orders while maintaining schedule integrity
Create reports on schedule adherence and delivery performance
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Systems Management & Process Execution
Execute planning and scheduling activities in Dynamics 365
Maintain accurate master data including BOMs, lead times, and routings
Generate planning reports, schedules, and KPI dashboards
Troubleshoot system issues and coordinate with IT support as needed
Follow and adhere to standard operating procedures and work instructions
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Cross-Functional Supply Chain Coordination
Work closely with Inventory Manager on material availability and safety stock levels
Coordinate with Procurement on purchase orders and supplier scheduling
Communicate with Manufacturing on production feasibility and capacity
Support Sales with realistic delivery dates and order promising
Attend daily/weekly production meetings and planning sessions
Document planning decisions and maintain audit trail of schedule changes
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Continuous Improvement & Best Practices
Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy and scheduling efficiency
Support process standardization and documentation initiatives
Participate in ISO compliance activities and internal audits
Monitor industry best practices and recommend process improvements
Support initiatives to reduce lead times and improve customer satisfaction
Contribute to supply chain optimization projects and special initiatives
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES — Analysis, Reporting & Communication
Prepare daily/weekly schedule status reports and KPI summaries
Perform variance analysis on schedule performance and forecast accuracy
Create visualizations and dashboards for planning metrics
Communicate scheduling changes and delivery impacts to relevant stakeholders
Maintain detailed records of planning assumptions and decisions
Present planning insights to management and cross-functional teams
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
2+ years of experience in demand planning, master scheduling, or production planning
Strong knowledge of S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) processes
Experience with ERP systems, preferably Dynamics 365 or similar platforms
Working knowledge of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) concepts
Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain principles
Proficiency in Excel and data analysis
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively across departments
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or APICS CPIM certification
Experience in manufacturing or industrial products
Familiarity with ERP platforms
Experience with advanced planning systems (APS)
Knowledge of lean or continuous improvement methodologies
Worksite address
hillside, IL, 60162, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.