Production Planner

Production Planner/Master Scheduler 3

Position Summary: The Production Planner/Master Scheduler 3 position is responsible for leading production planning and scheduling functions for significant manufacturing areas within our semiconductor company. This position develops planning strategies, manages complex production schedules, and provides expert guidance on manufacturing planning optimization. The role requires advanced expertise in production planning, strong analytical abilities, and leadership skills to ensure effective manufacturing execution while supporting business objectives in the highly complex semiconductor manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Production Planning (25%):

  • Develop and implement production planning strategies for significant manufacturing areas or product families
  • Create integrated planning approaches across manufacturing stages and operations
  • Design innovative planning methods to address specialized semiconductor manufacturing challenges
  • Lead development of production capacity plans and resource requirements
  • Align production strategies with business objectives and market demands

• Master Scheduling Leadership (20%):

  • Lead master production scheduling for complex semiconductor manufacturing operations
  • Develop sophisticated scheduling methodologies and optimization approaches
  • Balance capacity, material, and cycle time constraints
  • Implement advanced scheduling techniques and algorithms
  • Ensure schedule feasibility, stability, and responsiveness to demand changes

• Supply and Demand Management (15%):

  • Lead integration of demand forecasts with supply capabilities
  • Develop advanced S&OP processes and methodologies
  • Analyze supply-demand imbalances and develop resolution strategies
  • Implement demand prioritization frameworks and allocation approaches
  • Ensure optimal balance between customer service, capacity utilization, and inventory levels

• Production Flow and Cycle Time Management (15%):

  • Analyze and optimize production flows and cycle times
  • Develop strategies for WIP management and buffer optimization
  • Lead critical ratio and queue management initiatives
  • Create methodologies for lot prioritization and dispatching
  • Implement flow optimization and cycle time reduction approaches

• Planning Performance Analysis (15%):

  • Design comprehensive planning performance metrics and analytics
  • Lead analysis of plan adherence, forecast accuracy, and inventory performance
  • Develop planning dashboards and executive reporting
  • Create methodologies for identifying planning improvement opportunities
  • Drive data-based decision making in planning processes

• Planning Improvement and Innovation (10%):

  • Lead planning process improvement and optimization initiatives
  • Implement advanced planning tools and methodologies
  • Develop innovative approaches for semiconductor planning challenges
  • Support implementation of planning system enhancements
  • Drive continuous improvement of planning processes and capabilities

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; Master's degree preferred

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in production planning, master scheduling, or manufacturing operations

• Experience leading planning functions in complex manufacturing environments

• Advanced knowledge of planning methodologies, S&OP, and inventory management

• Experience in semiconductor or high-tech manufacturing environments preferred

• Professional certification in production planning or supply chain management preferred

Qualifications:

• Expert knowledge of production planning principles, master scheduling techniques, and inventory management

• Advanced analytical skills with ability to model complex manufacturing scenarios and constraints

• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, equipment capabilities, and operational flows

• Experience with planning systems, optimization tools, and advanced analytics

• Excellent project leadership capabilities with experience managing planning initiatives

• Strong stakeholder management and communication abilities

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, theory of constraints, and continuous improvement methodologies

• Strategic thinking with ability to align planning approaches with business objectives

• Problem-solving expertise with focus on manufacturing excellence

• Experience with ERP systems and advanced planning solutions

• Understanding of semiconductor demand patterns and market dynamics

Travel Requirements:

• Moderate travel required (10-15% of time)

• May include travel between manufacturing facilities and planning centers

Level of Authority:

• Leads planning and scheduling functions for significant manufacturing areas

• Makes decisions regarding planning strategies, scheduling approaches, and capacity allocation

• Provides authoritative guidance on production planning matters and methodologies

• Approves master schedules and production plans

• May supervise planning staff or coordinate cross-functional planning teams

Job Complexity:

• Performs highly complex planning activities requiring advanced expertise and judgment

• Develops sophisticated production plans with multiple constraints and optimization objectives

• Addresses planning challenges with significant operational and business implications

• Requires deep understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, variability factors, and planning considerations

• Expected to balance on-time delivery, capacity utilization, inventory levels, and manufacturing efficiency

• Navigates complex stakeholder relationships and competing priorities

• Works in highly technical environment with specialized planning requirements