Production Planner

Job DescriptionJob Title: Production & Supply PlannerLocation: South AfricaDepartment: Operations – PlanningReporting To: Manager – Planning, South AfricaSummary:The Production & Supply Planner will ensure seamless coordination between demand planning, production, procurement, and logistics functions to achieve optimal inventory levels, high serviceability, and efficient production execution in alignment with business objectives. The role demands strong analytical skills, cross-functional collaboration, and expertise in planning systems such as SAP and Excel.Roles and Responsibilities:Production PlanningDevelop and maintain weekly and monthly production plans based on sales forecasts, inventory norms, and capacity availability.Align production schedules with RM/PM availability and factory constraints to ensure uninterrupted operations.Coordinate with Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to monitor plan adherence and resolve bottlenecks.Track and report key metrics such as Plan vs Actual Production, Capacity Utilization, and Schedule Adherence.Supply & Material PlanningConvert demand plans into RM/PM requirements using SAP MRP and ensure timely purchase requisitions.Maintain healthy stock cover levels by balancing overstock and stock-out risks.Monitor slow-moving and short-dated materials; initiate timely consumption or liquidation actions.Coordinate with Procurement and 3P Manufacturing to align material dispatches with production needs.Inventory ManagementOptimize RM, PM, and FG inventory in line with company norms and working capital targets.Identify and report SLOB (Slow Moving & Obsolete) materials monthly and work with stakeholders to mitigate risks.Cross-Functional CoordinationCollaborate with Demand Planning, Procurement, Warehousing, QA, and Logistics for end-to-end supply chain alignment.Participate in weekly S&OP and planning review meetings to present production and inventory performance.Liaise with Marketing and Sales to accommodate urgent or NPD requirements without disrupting base production.System & ReportingMaintain all plans and data accurately in SAP (S4/HANA) and planning trackers (Excel/Power BI).Generate daily/weekly reports on production status, dispatches, material availability, and service levels.Support automation and process improvement initiatives to enhance planning accuracy and visibility.Education:Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or Industrial Management.Experience:4–6 years of experience in production or supply planning within FMCG or manufacturing environments.Exposure to S&OP and Inventory Optimization processes preferred.Skills:Strong working knowledge of SAP (PP/MM modules).Advanced proficiency in Excel tools (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Power Query).Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.Strong coordination and communication skills across cross-functional teams.Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):Production Plan Adherence > 95%Sales Loss % < 2% and Serviceability > 98%Retail Serviceability > 99%RM/PM Stock Norm Adherence > 95%Forecast Accuracy & Bias > 70%SLOB % of Total InventoryMIS Reports:Forecast AccuracyForecast BiasSales Loss % ServiceabilityRetail Serviceability