Sr Production Planner

Rubbercraft (RCC) is seeking an experienced Senior Production Planner IV to lead complex production planning, master scheduling, and capacity management activities across multiple manufacturing value streams. This position plays a critical role in aligning production schedules with customer demand, material availability, manufacturing capacity, and business priorities to ensure on-time delivery and operational efficiency.

The Senior Production Planner IV serves as a subject matter expert in production planning and MRP processes, proactively identifying scheduling constraints, resolving complex production challenges, and driving improvements in planning accuracy and execution. This role works closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Engineering, Quality, and leadership to support both tactical execution and long-term operational planning.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in a high-mix manufacturing environment, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to independently manage competing priorities while influencing cross-functional teams.

About Rubbercraft:

Rubbercraft is a trusted leader in engineered elastomer solutions serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Our team designs and manufactures precision-molded seals, gaskets, and custom rubber components that perform in the most demanding environments. We take pride in craftsmanship, collaboration, and a culture built on innovation and reliability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, maintenance, and execution of master production schedules across multiple manufacturing value streams, ensuring alignment with customer demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Perform advanced capacity planning and analysis, including what-if scenarios, forecast changes, resource constraints, and production growth requirements.
• Independently manage complex scheduling priorities, identify potential bottlenecks, and develop proactive solutions to minimize disruptions and improve schedule adherence.
• Serve as a key planning resource and subject matter expert for manufacturing leadership, providing recommendations on production priorities, capacity utilization, and delivery commitments.
• Analyze production demand, inventory levels, lead times, and resource availability to optimize scheduling decisions and support on-time delivery.
• Review and manage MRP planning exception messages, ensuring timely resolution of material shortages, scheduling conflicts, and other supply-related issues.
• Maintain and optimize MRP planning parameters, master data, and scheduling information within Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) to improve planning accuracy and efficiency.
• Release and manage manufacturing orders and change orders to support production requirements and customer commitments.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with Manufacturing, Sales, Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality to evaluate schedule changes, expedite requests, and production recovery plans.
• Identify potential supply chain risks, inventory exposure, and capacity limitations, developing contingency plans to mitigate impacts to customer delivery.
• Partner with Purchasing to ensure materials and outside services are available to support production schedules and operational priorities.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for complex production scheduling inquiries, customer order status updates, and critical delivery escalations.
• Maintain accurate customer line-of-balance reports, open order status tools, recovery dates, and scheduling updates within GP.
• Communicate critical scheduling risks, delivery concerns, and recommended corrective actions to the Planning Manager, Supply Chain leadership, and appropriate stakeholders.
• Develop and coordinate production recovery plans when significant schedule deviations occur, ensuring timely communication of revised commitments.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key planning KPIs, including schedule adherence, on-time delivery, capacity utilization, and master schedule performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, MRP accuracy, inventory management, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead or actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on scheduling effectiveness, process standardization, and operational performance.
• Provide guidance and technical support to less experienced planners, sharing best practices and assisting with complex planning challenges.
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities by providing capacity analysis, production forecasts, and recommendations to support business decisions.
• Prepare and present planning updates, operational risks, and performance analysis to management and senior leadership.
• Ensure production build plans, manufacturing documentation, and required approvals are accurate and properly maintained.
• Complete special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned by the Planning Manager or Supply Chain Director.
• Support company and department goals, including customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, safety, and operational excellence.
• Comply with all company safety policies, housekeeping standards, and applicable procedures.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and extensive relevant manufacturing planning experience will be considered.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certification preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive production planning, master scheduling, or materials management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex production schedules across multiple manufacturing departments or value streams.
• Advanced experience with master production scheduling, material requirements planning (MRP), rough-cut capacity planning, and inventory management.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, including planning parameters, manufacturing orders, bills of materials (BOMs), and routers.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience resolving complex production constraints, managing competing priorities, and supporting critical customer delivery commitments.
• Experience leading planning-related process improvements or cross-functional initiatives preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) or a comparable ERP system preferred.

COMPETENCIES

• Advanced understanding of production planning, master scheduling, S&OP, capacity planning, inventory management, and material replenishment methodologies.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex production data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to independently prioritize and resolve complex scheduling challenges with minimal supervision.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis, and reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of ERP/MRP functionality, data integrity, and planning parameter optimization.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing production requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information and recommendations to senior management.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational risks.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to other planning team members.
• Customer-focused mindset with a strong commitment to meeting delivery expectations and supporting operational performance.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains MRP strongly preferred.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Engineering, Quality, and leadership.
• Demonstrated ownership and accountability for planning accuracy, production execution, and customer delivery performance.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment with changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong follow-through and persistence in resolving production and customer delivery challenges.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk through manufacturing areas and comply with applicable safety requirements.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

BENEFITS:

At Rubbercraft, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

RCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources.

This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.