Lead Production Planner

Status: Exempt (salaried)

Department: Operations

Position Summary

The Lead Production Planner takes the lead role in developing and managing the integrated Master Production Schedule for Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer stack operations while working closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain to ensure production plans are aligned with business demand and supported by effective planning processes and systems. This role is critical to ensure that the business is operating to meet product delivery commitments to our customers. The Lead Production Planner must be highly skilled at working with cross-functional departments to coordinate efforts and clear roadblocks which may interfere with the production schedule. The ideal candidate for this position should be experienced in scheduling and coordination within a technology manufacturing operation, while possessing the ability to help drive on-time delivery of quality products to customers with a high level of attention to detail.

Principle Accountabilities

• Integrity and execution of the integrated Master Production Schedule across Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer stack operations.

• On-time delivery of customer orders.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide functional leadership for product line planning activities, coordinating priorities and driving execution across Planning, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and other cross-functional stakeholders without direct supervisory responsibility.

• Maintain the integrated Master Production Schedule for Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer stack operations, ensuring alignment of customer demand, production capacity, material availability, inventory, and business priorities.

• Own and optimize key planning parameters including lead times, order policies, lot sizes, safety stocks, planning horizons, and other ERP/MRP settings to improve material availability, schedule stability, and inventory performance.

• Primary interface with Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Sales, Finance and Field Service and Project Management teams for product line priority communication and coordination

• Lead cross-functional escalation and recovery efforts for critical material constraints that threaten the Master Production Schedule or customer commitments.

• Develop and drive Rochester Supply Chain metrics and operating reviews focused on planning effectiveness, material readiness, MRP execution, inventory health, and timely completion of critical planning and purchasing transactions.

• Represent Rochester Supply Chain at S&OP meetings, translating the demand plan into production, material, and capacity requirements and communicating supply constraints, risks, and recovery actions necessary to support customer and revenue commitments.

• Provide cross-functional visibility to material constraints impacting the Master Production Schedule and drive resolution of systemic issues affecting material availability and supply readiness.

• Ensure work order planning processes and controls effectively support the Master Production Schedule, including timely order creation, execution, closure, and accurate documentation.

• Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain to ensure BOM structures, effectivity, engineering changes, and material master data support accurate and effective production planning.

• Partner with Product Management and Engineering to incorporate future product changes, engineering developments (EDORs), and stack deployment requirements into the long-term Master Production Schedule, ensuring appropriate planning for material, capacity, and production readiness.

• Serve as the Rochester subject matter expert for production planning processes and ERP/MRP functionality, identifying and driving system, master data, and process improvements that improve planning accuracy and execution.

• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning and related Supply Chain processes to improve planning accuracy, material availability, inventory performance, schedule stability, and overall execution efficiency.

• Identify and drive resolution of systemic inventory and material planning issues, partnering cross-functionally to determine root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Always represent Plug Power in a professional manner and in all interactions.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• BS degree in business, supply chain, engineering, or other relevant field of study and/or a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations; preferred experience in a planning or scheduling capacity within a complex technology manufacturing environment.

  • ASCM certifications preferred.

• Lean, Six Sigma green belt or black belt preferred.

• Strong experience with ERP/MRP systems, production planning principles, master data, and planning parameters; Avante experience preferred.

• Microsoft Office product experience and proficiency – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access.

• Data mining skills with the ability to develop analytics for specific measurements.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team atmosphere.

• Superior interpersonal skills and communication abilities.

• Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills along with attention to detail a must.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, establish accountability, and drive actions through completion.

• Role model for high standards of professionalism.

• Results-oriented and driven work style.

• Excellent task-oriented follow-through.

Pay Rate: $86,400.00 - $135,000.00

We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:

• Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment. If you are interested in this position, we’d ask that you apply.

• The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire

• 401(k) with 5% company match

• Bonus eligibility

• Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time

• Paid Holidays

• Wellness Reimbursement Program

• Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement

• Fertility and Family Building Benefit

• Employee Referral program

• Employee Assistance Program

Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.