Production Planner – ManufacturingLocation: Pittsburgh, PA (onsite)Industry: Specialty Chemicals / Manufacturing

Our client, a respected manufacturer of specialized resins serving the Coatings, Adhesives, Inks, and Rubber markets, is seeking a Production Planner to join their team. With a century-long legacy of innovation, customer focus, and research-driven development, our client remains an industry leader recognized for its quality and reliability.

This position plays a key role in the company’s Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, working cross-functionally to ensure operational alignment with customer demand, production capabilities, and inventory strategies. Reporting jointly to the Customer Service Manager and Production Manager, this role requires a strong understanding of planning systems and proactive coordination across teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and document the SIOP process, ensuring it is well-structured, repeatable, and aligned with business objectives.

• Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS), determining timing and quantities of finished goods.

• Forecast demand and manage inventory levels to support production efficiency and on-time delivery.

• Evaluate material availability and production capacity (labor, machinery, facilities) to optimize manufacturing flow.

• Identify and communicate potential production delays or issues that may impact the schedule.

• Partner with internal departments—sales, operations, logistics, procurement—to align planning goals.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of SIOP practices and support digitization/automation initiatives.

• Provide visibility into longer-term production planning (3–6 months outlook).

• Seek cost-saving opportunities and methods to increase productivity without compromising quality.

Key Concepts in the Role:

• Demand Forecasting: Anticipating customer needs to align production output.

• Master Production Schedule (MPS): Structuring timelines and quantities for all products.

• Inventory Management: Ensuring materials and goods are available as needed while minimizing waste.

• Capacity Planning: Assessing and allocating labor, equipment, and facility resources to support production goals.

Qualifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred

Experience:

• 5+ years of production planning experience within a manufacturing environment

• Background in chemical manufacturing strongly preferred

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing workflows and quality control principles

• Clear, effective communication and interpersonal skills across departments and functions

• Well-developed organizational and time management abilities

• Analytical problem-solving mindset with flexibility to respond to changing needs

• Comfortable with Microsoft Office and legacy ERP systems; technical savvy welcomed

• Chemistry knowledge a plus, though not required

• Must be able to move throughout the production facility as needed