Production & Materials Planner

Description

Pump Drives Inc. also known and doing business (DBA) as Certified PowerTrain Inc. (CPT) is a division of Summus Corporation with its manufacturing operation located at 390 Koopman Lane, Elkhorn WI 53121.

CPT is a leading manufacturer of CNC-machined powertrain and infrastructure components, with added assembly capabilities to meet customer needs.

The Production & Materials Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining an accurate production schedule that supports customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and inventory objectives. Working with the Purchasing Manager, this role, for assigned categories, ensures raw materials and purchased components are available to meet production requirements while minimizing shortages, delays, and excess inventory.

The position requires close collaboration with Manufacturing, Engineering, Customer Service, and Suppliers to support on-time delivery, efficient resource utilization, and proactive problem solving. The Production & Materials Planner promotes integrity, accountability, and effective communication across all planning and purchasing areas of responsibility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Review MRP outputs, forecasts, and shop orders to determine production scheduling needs in alignment with customer requirements.
• Build, maintain, and communicate an accurate production schedule used by manufacturing floor supervisors and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor daily production progress to ensure schedule adherence; adjust priorities as needed to meet delivery commitments.
• Assist with identifying and resolving machining capacity constraints, bottlenecks, or process limitations that impact production flow.
• Develop and implement alternate routing or scheduling strategies when required to support customer deadlines.
• Ensure availability of raw materials and components needed to support the production schedule.
• Manage purchase orders for materials and subcontracted services, including placing orders, expediting, and resolving delivery issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers to confirm capacity, lead times, quality, and cost expectations.
• Resolve material shortages quickly and effectively, coordinating internally and externally as needed.
• Communicate schedule risks or delays to Manufacturing, Customer Service, and relevant teams.
• Work closely with Customer Service to evaluate delivery expectations, resolve scheduling conflicts, and update commitments.
• Maintain accurate planning data within the MRP system, including lead times, order quantities, and item details.
• Review capacity and material constraints to support continuous improvement in scheduling accuracy and production flow.
• Work collaboratively across departments to improve forecasting, planning accuracy, and overall production effectiveness.

Competencies

Production Planning & Scheduling Expertise

Demonstrates a strong understanding of MRP, capacity planning, and shop floor scheduling, with the ability to build realistic and achievable production plans.

Material Planning & Purchasing

Understands supply chain requirements, purchasing processes, and supplier management to maintain material availability and cost control.

Data Analysis & Problem Solving

Able to interpret MRP data, schedules, and performance metrics to identify root causes, prioritize actions, and drive effective decisions.

Communication & Collaboration

Communicates clearly and professionally with manufacturing teams, engineering, customer service staff, and suppliers to support operational alignment.

Time Management & Organization

Effectively manages competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.

Adaptability & Initiative

Proactively identifies scheduling risks, material shortages, or process inefficiencies and takes action to resolve issues.

Requirements

• Individuals in this role must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in Supply Chain, Business, or Operations preferred.
• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in production scheduling, materials planning, or purchasing in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior working experience with MRP/ERP systems required.
• Strong Excel skills, including data analysis and report creation.
• Basic understanding of machining operations and common outside manufacturing processes (such as heat treating and grinding) preferred.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively with other departments, customers and vendors.