Supervisor, Production Planning

As a Production Planning Supervisor in Hanover, your key responsibilities include supervising daily production planning activities, establishing production schedules, managing material requirements, and overseeing supply chain KPIs such as On-Time Shipments and Site Inventory. You will also resolve capacity constraints, support inventory planning, communicate with various departments, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.

To apply for the Production Planning Supervisor position, candidates must possess an Associate degree, preferably in Supply Chain or Engineering, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in planning and procurement. MRP experience is essential, ideally with SAP systems. Leadership experience in continuous improvement efforts is highly valued.

A successful Production Planning Supervisor should have strong analytical skills, proficiency in tools such as MS Excel and Access, and effective communication skills to coordinate with multiple departments. Experience with lean methodologies and problem-solving abilities is also crucial for resolving production and material supply issues efficiently.

A typical day for a Production Planning Supervisor involves coordinating production schedules, reviewing inventory levels, facilitating interdepartmental communication, and resolving material supply and demand issues. You will lead daily operations, conduct meetings with value streams, and engage in continuous improvement activities to optimize production efficiency.

The Production Planning Supervisor plays a crucial role in influencing company performance by ensuring timely production of goods, optimizing inventory levels, and improving overall supply chain efficiency. By managing resources effectively and driving continuous improvements, you contribute directly to operational success and customer satisfaction.

In answering this question, emphasize your familiarity with MRP processes, particularly any experience you have with ERP systems like SAP. Discuss specific scenarios where your planning directly impacted production efficiency and how you resolved issues related to material availability.

When responding, share specific strategies you have used to identify and mitigate capacity constraints. Discuss any tools or analytical methods you utilized to forecast demand and adjust production schedules accordingly.

Detail any lean or Six Sigma initiatives you've been involved in that resulted in measurable improvements in production planning. Use examples to illustrate your leadership role and the impact these initiatives had on operations.

Select a real challenge where you successfully navigated a complex situation. Explain the actions you took to resolve the issue, what you learned from the experience, and how it shaped your approach to future planning.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, emphasizing the use of urgency, importance, and alignment with production goals. Share an example that highlights how your prioritization led to successful project outcomes.

Highlight your knowledge of safety programs and policies. Explain how you ensure compliance within your team and give examples of how you’ve contributed to a safe working environment in previous roles.

Describe how you collect, analyze, and act upon supply chain KPIs. Discuss key metrics like On-Time Shipments and how they drive process improvements and enhance team performance.

Share your strategies for fostering effective communication across departments, such as setting regular meetings or using collaborative tools. Provide examples of how communication has resolved issues between teams in your past experiences.

Talk about your experience with inventory management strategies, including techniques like JIT (Just in Time), and how you implement them to ensure material availability while minimizing excess stock.

Articulate your belief that continuous learning is critical in staying updated with industry trends and tools. Give examples of how you seek out training or professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and benefit your team.