In a manufacturing organization, someone who manages production and other associated activities are called a production planner. They work the production schedules, the supplies to be used, and possibly other duties. You may be able to decide if this is the correct career path for you by learning more about this position and the abilities needed to become a production planner. This article covers what a production planner does, how to become one, the schooling required, what a production planner makes, what skills they need, and more.

What is a Production Planner?

A production planner ensures that the production process is accurate and on schedule. The work involves paying close attention to the supplies and products needed throughout the production stage. They also ensure that the workspace gets maintained for optimum performance. Depending on the internal organizational structure and industry, production planners may advance to a managerial or executive role.

What are the role and responsibilities of the Production Planner?

• Creating appropriate production schedules by analyzing purchase orders.
• Calculating the number of supplies, machinery, and personnel needed for production.
• To reduce production delays, production issues must be swiftly addressed and resolved.
• Coordinating manufacturing processes to take advantage of the equipment, personnel, and material availability.
• Putting up workable suggestions for increasing manufacturing efficiency while lowering costs and enhancing product quality.
• Modifying the manufacturing schedule to meet the deadlines.
• Assembling status and performance reports and promptly submitting them to management.
• Notifying the appropriate departments as soon as modifications to the current production schedules occur.

How to Become a Production Planner? Qualifications

Communication Skills

A production planner assigns the work to their team after receiving the production demand from their management. They need to be effective communicators who listen, talk, and give clear instructions. A minor communication error might significantly impact the delivery schedule or product quality. Since production managers frequently produce reports and proposals, communication skills are even more crucial.

Tracking skills

A production planner monitors all daily operations throughout the manufacturing cycle. They must therefore possess keen observational abilities to keep an eye on the team members' work. Additionally, they must exchange constructive criticism to boost output and efficiency. Taking note of specifics makes it easier for them to identify manufacturing mistakes promptly.

Aptitude for solving issues

A production planner working in the production facility could run across issues, including equipment failure, delays in delivering orders, conflicts between coworkers, and other difficulties. They must maintain their composure under pressure and have a problem-solving attitude under these circumstances. Being able to foresee problems is also necessary for production planners.

Aptitude for managing time

Production planners manage numerous jobs concurrently. They make sure that production is finished on time. They also develop deadlines and schedules for replenishing raw supplies. They oversee several production lines and ensure everything is going according to plan. Therefore, time management abilities and the ability to prioritize work are crucial for production planners.

Leadership qualities

Production managers oversee teams and coworkers to guarantee maximum output and on-time delivery. They oversee assigning tasks, reporting, providing guidance and feedback, and ensuring high levels of productivity throughout the entire production process. Therefore, they must be competent leaders and managers to properly manage their teams and uphold a high level of product quality. Additionally, better leadership abilities assist production planners in advancing their careers and receiving promotions.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

Other Skills

• Outstanding computing skills
• Good math abilities
• Excellent communication skills both in writing and speaking
• Superior time management abilities
• Outstanding organizational abilities
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent ability to solve problems

Steps to Becoming a Successful Production Planner

Academic Requirements

• It is preferred to have a 10+2 degree in business management, supply chain management, or a comparable discipline.
• Possessing CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) certification or another proper credential is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience as a production planner.
• Expertise in all Microsoft Office programs.
• Comprehensive understanding of associated software and material requirements planning (MRP).
• Proven ability to analyze problems and find solutions
• Strong time- and project management abilities.

Acquire more knowledge after high school.

To begin this career path, you can earn a bachelor's degree in management studies (B.M.S.), operations management, or business administration (B.B.A.). To participate in campus placement efforts, ensure you retain the minimum required aggregate marks. Similarly, earning a master's degree will help you advance your career and qualify for managerial positions. To be eligible for entrance exams like the Common Admission Test (C.A.T.), Xavier Aptitude Test (X.A.T.), and others to get admission to M.B.A. programs, you must have earned a minimum of 55% on your bachelor's degree. A master's degree can enhance your talents by providing you with managerial knowledge and tools, which is beneficial for career advancement.

Experience (work and related fields)

Getting relevant experience improves your abilities and makes your resume stand out from the competition. During your final year, you can gain experience by participating in internships. Additionally, you gain practical experience working in manufacturing or production facilities. Furthermore, as hiring interns and apprentices is typical in the sector, it may open your opportunities for full-time employment after receiving your bachelor's.

Training (job or related fields)

Even if they have strong academic credentials, many students struggle to obtain employment. Training is beneficial for nearly everything a GET (Graduate Engineering Trainee) or DET (Diploma Engineering Trainee) needs to know before they are exposed to the world of industry. You will understand several tools used in industrial management, such as MRP, inventory control, lot sizing, etc., which is highly helpful for professionals looking to prove their worth in the field. These tools have been thoughtfully created and clearly discussed throughout the training. During the training process, one also learns the fundamental principles of what to make, when to produce, how much to pay, etc., to generate finished items.

Career

Employment areas

• IT company
• Insurance firms
• Bank
• Education sector
• Non-government office
• Cooperative organization

Job titles

• Production coordinator
• Supply chain executives
• Warehouse supervisors
• Scheduler for production

Salary of Production Planner

Let us see the average annual salary of Production Planner in some popular countries.

Training Course for Production Planner

Let us talk about some degree to become a successful Production Planner.

Pros and Cons of Becoming Production Planner

A well-organized manufacturing process will result in higher production rates, higher-quality goods, and lower unit costs. The costs of the goods will benefit the consumers, and they will receive high-quality goods. Below are some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of becoming a Production Planner

• Improved structure for consistent and timely delivery.
• Improved supplier communication for buying raw materials.
• Decreased inventory investment
• increased efficiency, which reduced production costs.
• The Smooth operation of all production steps.
• Decreased resource waste

Disadvantages of becoming a Production Planner

• A lack of adaptability
• Effectiveness is occasionally constrained.
• Blending many functions.
• Following Up.
• The step of re-planning.
• Business forecasting.
• Revisions to sales orders.
• Standard Process Sheets.
• Load Charts.
• Advanced level of Project Management, and time-consuming.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

How to Become a Production Planner FAQs

What makes a Good Production Planner?

A practical Production Planner should be able to solve problems quickly and effectively to maximize production efficiency. They also need sophisticated communication skills and computer understanding when technology is essential.

Who does a Production Planner work with?

A production planner collaborates with a production manager to ensure the manufacturing process goes successfully. The planner may report potential production plans and procedures to the management for approval.

What does a Production Planner do?

Production planners plan for every aspect of the production process. They keep the working areas clean so that they may operate efficiently without disruption or risk of damage. They also make sure there is enough material and equipment accessible.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Production Planner?

To achieve optimal levels, the production planner is in charge of scheduling the use of manufacturing supplies. The planner must assess vendors for quality, timeliness, and alignment with objectives. Additionally, they monitor the material supply flow and spot any potential shortages or consumption bottlenecks.

Is production planning a promising career?

The creative side of production planning is abundant. You can experiment with new production methods. Future predictions indicate a rise in demand for production planners. You can improve both your managerial and mathematical abilities with the aid of this profile.

What is the role of a production planner?

To achieve optimal levels, the production planner is in charge of scheduling the use of manufacturing supplies. The planner must assess vendors for quality, timeliness, and compliance with objectives.