Production Planner – Power Quality Products

Job Title: Production Planner – Power Quality Products

Company Overview:

Hitachi Energy is a leading provider of high-voltage components, specializing in innovative solutions for the electrical utilities and the power delivery industry. As we expand our operations, we seek a dynamic and experienced Production Planner to join our team. As a Production Planner, you will be crucial in driving our initiatives to improve the production process in a manufacturing facility, ensuring the products are manufactured efficiently and on time. Knowledge of SAP is required for this role.

Position Summary:

A production planner is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the entire production process in a manufacturing facility, ensuring products are manufactured efficiently, on time, and within budget by developing and managing production schedules, monitoring inventory levels, and collaborating with various teams to meet production goals; they essentially plan and organize the flow of materials and workforce to optimize production output while adhering to delivery deadlines and quality standards. This position will report to the Planning & Fulfillment Manager of the Capacitors & Filters business.

Responsibilities:

• Production scheduling: Create and maintain detailed production schedules based on customer orders, demand forecasts, and inventory levels, adjusting schedules to accommodate changes.
• Inventory management: Monitor raw material levels, anticipate potential shortages, and coordinate with procurement teams to ensure timely materials delivery.
• Resource allocation: Assign tasks to production teams, manage workforce scheduling, and optimize equipment utilization to maximize productivity.
• Cost control: Track production costs, identify areas for cost reduction and work to minimize waste and inefficiencies.
• Quality control: Collaborate with quality inspectors to ensure products meet quality standards and identify any production issues
• Performance monitoring: Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and report on production progress to management
• Problem-solving: Identify and address production issues promptly, including equipment malfunctions, delays, and labor shortages
• Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, such as sales, purchasing, warehouse, and maintenance, to ensure smooth production flow.

Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations/manufacturing, process engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in production planning or master scheduling role.
• Ability to interpret data, analyze trends, and make informed decisions regarding production planning
• Excellent ability to develop and execute comprehensive production schedules
• Effective communication with various stakeholders, including production teams, management, and other departments
• Proficiency with production planning software, ERP systems such as SAP S4 Hana, and data analysis tools
• Ability to identify and resolve production issues efficiently.
• Familiar with the principles and manufacturing knowledge of high-voltage switchgear products such as capacitors (pole mount capacitor banks, metal enclosed capacitor banks)  
• Detail-oriented with a focus on continuous process improvement.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools and continuous improvement methodologies will be a plus.

The position is based at our Mt. Pleasant plant. Candidates must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for Hitachi Energy in the United States.