PLANNING MANAGER, OPERATIONS

We are working with a well-established (one division is a 125-year producer of personal protection for global defense forces, emergency responders, industrial personnel operating in high temperature environments (products include helmet systems, hearing protection, communication equipment, respiratory protection systems). The division in focus for this role (for over 40 years) has been a pioneer and leading producer of high temperature fabrics for thermal management and fire protection. They also produce apparel to protect crews with their customers in over 70 countries covering a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, industrial, etc. All products are made in the USA in multiple locations.  

Due to growth, the company is looking for an experienced Operations Planning Manager to be located in their facility near Winston-Salem/Greensboro/High Point North Carolina (note, this position covers multiple sites/divisions across the USA for their textile manufacturing, weaving, performance fibers, lamination and coating, cut/sew, etc.). This role reports to the Director/VP of Operations and comes with a competitive base salary and strong benefits.

We are looking for an experienced Manager of Planning & Scheduling to oversee the planning, scheduling, and inventory control functions across our three divisions (Weaving & Coating Operations, Safety Apparel Cut & Sew, and Fire Containment Curtains and Bags). The ideal candidate will have a background in Industrial Operations Engineering and a proven track record in implementing efficient planning processes, utilizing MRP systems, and optimizing sourcing and inventory control. Proficiency in Excel and Business Intelligence systems is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Scheduling:

• Lead the planning and scheduling efforts for the Weaving & Coating Operations, Safety Apparel Cut & Sew, and Fire Containment divisions
• Leads weekly planning and operations cross-functional meetings
• Develop and implement production plans that optimize resources and meet customer demand. Ensures sales and operational alignment
• Collaborate with the sourcing team to ensure schedules can be filled

Materials Requirement Planning (MRP):

• Utilize MRP systems to plan and control material requirements for production
• Collaborate with the sourcing team to ensure timely procurement of materials and components
• Optimize the use of MRP to minimize lead times and improve production efficiency
• Communicates lead times to Sales

Advanced Planning:

• Develop and implement advanced planning strategies, such as demand forecasting, capacity planning, and scenario analysis
• Continuously improve planning processes to adapt to changing market conditions and business needs
• Drive the development of KPIs to measure planning and scheduling performance

Inventory Management:

• Manage and optimize inventory levels across all divisions to minimize carrying costs while meeting customer requirements
• Implement inventory control measures to reduce waste and improve inventory turnover
• Monitor and analyze demand forecasting to adjust inventory strategies accordingly

Business Intelligence and Reporting:

• Utilize Excel and Business Intelligence systems to generate reports and analyze data related to planning, scheduling, and inventory control
• Present insights and recommendations to senior management for informed decision-making

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Operations Engineering or a related field
• 3-5 years of planning and scheduling role within the textile manufacturing industry
• Expertise in Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) systems and advanced planning techniques. Infor Syteline, SAP, or NetSuite
• Strong knowledge of sourcing strategies and inventory control best practices
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Business Intelligence tools for data analysis and reporting
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic manufacturing environment
• Results-oriented with a focus on achieving planning and scheduling excellence

All Candidates must be able to provide work related references.