Mid Level Production Planner

Location: Cape Town
Industry: Manufacturing

Job Summary:
A manufacturing company based in Cape Town is seeking a mid-level Production Planner to oversee the planning and coordination of production activities. The successful candidate will be responsible for converting sales demands into efficient, cost-effective production plans while ensuring resource optimization, timely delivery, and adherence to quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning:

1. Plan production, raw materials, packaging, and supporting equipment.
2. Translate sales demands into practical production schedules.
3. Ensure plans align with capacity, economic batch sizes, and delivery deadlines.
4. Coordinate overtime, resource reallocation, and maintenance activities as needed.
5. Prevent production without all required components unless approved.
6. Provide daily and weekly reports on performance and forecasts.

Execution:

1. Issue daily shop floor plans and work tickets.
2. Ensure product specifications are accessible on the floor.
3. Escalate performance issues and step into operational control when required.

Document Control:

1. Maintain traceable records for audits.
2. Submit and follow up on material requisitions.
3. Prevent unauthorized production.

Contractor Management:

1. Oversee quality and output of external service providers.
2. Monitor inventory at contractor sites.

Required Competencies:

1. Minimum of 5 years of relevant production planning experience.
2. Proven planning experience in manufacturing, FMCG, ideally within commodities, product packaging.
3. Knowledge of LEAN manufacturing principles.
4. Relevant qualifications in production planning advantageous.
5. Proficient in MS Office, with strong skills in MS Excel (mandatory).