Job Summary

The Production Planner is responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating CNC machining operations to ensure customer delivery requirements are met while maximizing machine utilization, capacity, and efficiency.

This role focuses on creating and maintaining production loading plans, balancing machine capacity, monitoring work order progress, and coordinating closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Materials teams. Practical experience in CNC machining processes and understanding of machine constraints are more important than academic qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Scheduling

Develop daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules for CNC machining operations.
Create and maintain machine loading plans based on available capacity, manpower, tooling, and material availability.
Prioritize production orders based on customer requirements and delivery commitments.
Sequence jobs efficiently to maximize machine utilization and minimize setup time.

2. Capacity Planning

Monitor machine loading and available production capacity.
Identify bottlenecks and capacity constraints across machining work centres.
Recommend schedule adjustments to improve throughput and on-time delivery.
Coordinate overtime, subcontracting, or alternative routing when capacity issues arise.

3. Work Order Management

Release and monitor manufacturing work orders.
Track production progress and update schedules accordingly.
Ensure timely closure of completed production orders.
Follow up on delayed jobs and drive recovery plans.

4. Coordination with Cross-Functional Teams

Work closely with CNC Supervisors, Engineers, Quality, Procurement, and Store personnel.
Ensure materials, tools, fixtures, and programs are available before production starts.
Support Engineering Change implementation and production transitions.
Participate in daily production meetings and scheduling reviews.

5. Production Monitoring & Reporting

Maintain production planning dashboards and delivery status reports.
Monitor Machine utilization, Production output, Work-in-progress (WIP), On-time delivery performance
Escalate risks that may impact customer delivery commitments.

Requirements

Academic Qualification

NITEC, Higher NITEC, Diploma, or equivalent practical experience is acceptable.

Experience

Minimum 3-5 years of manufacturing planning, production control, or scheduling experience.
Experience in CNC machining or precision engineering environment is highly preferred.
Experience creating machine loading plans and capacity schedules is a strong advantage.
Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment is preferred.

Technical Knowledge

Good understanding of CNC machining processes.
Familiarity with: Turning, Milling, Multi-axis machining Setup and cycle time considerations
Able to read and understand engineering drawings.
Familiar with production routing and manufacturing workflows.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Attributes

Strong planning and organizational skills.
Analytical and data-driven decision maker.
Able to work under pressure and manage changing priorities.
Good communication and coordination skills.
Detail-oriented with strong follow-up discipline.
Hands-on and comfortable working closely with the shopfloor.

Candidate Profile

The ideal Production Planner is someone who has previously worked as a CNC machinist, CNC programmer, production supervisor, or manufacturing coordinator and understands machine loading, setup constraints, tooling limitations, and realistic production lead times. Practical shopfloor experience is far more valuable than academic qualifications.