MANAGER OF PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY CONTROL

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Production and Inventory Control Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for production planning and inventory control to meet customer requirements. The role directly executes and oversees work order creation and release, the Master Production Schedule (MPS), and the management of finished goods and work-in-process inventory. This position balances customer service, manufacturing efficiency, and inventory investment, connects Sales/Customer Success with Manufacturing, and tracks key performance indicators to support timely, data-based decisions. As a core member of the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) team, the manager leads and coaches the Production Planners by setting priorities, monitoring workload, providing ongoing feedback, and completing performance reviews, while partnering cross-functionally to standardize best practices, improve planning and execution, and contribute to operational success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Production Planning & Scheduling Execution

• Create, release, and monitor work orders to support customer and forecast demand through completion.
• Build, maintain, and optimize the production schedule (including finite scheduling) to maximize efficiency and meet customer requirements.
• Review the manufacturing schedule and sequence work orders to improve utilization, throughput, and changeover performance.
• Adjust schedules based on demand changes, material availability, capacity constraints, and operational disruptions.

Materials, MPS & Inventory Management

• Coordinate raw material requirements through Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to ensure timely availability for manufacturing.
• Maintain and manage the Master Production Schedule (MPS), including planning parameters and item coverage.
• Manage inventory programs and targets, including Re-Order Point (ROP), safety stock, and authorized inventory levels for MPS/ROP items.
• Manage replenishment activities for remote/3PL warehouse inventory to maintain service levels.

Order Commitments & Customer Success

• Promise new sales orders and review changes based on current lead times, capacity, and schedule conditions.
• Review open sales orders to identify risks to acknowledged ship dates and proactively communicate potential delays and recovery plans.
• Communicate schedule changes and the drivers for date adjustments to Customer Service/Sales to support customer commitments.

Cross-Functional Communication & Operating Rhythm

• Communicate production plan changes, constraints, and priorities to Manufacturing; escalate risks and issues as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Warehouse teams to resolve issues impacting schedule, quality, or supply.
• Lead daily and periodic production meetings to review schedule status, utilization/efficiency, constraints, and cross-functional concerns (Customer Success, Shipping, etc.).

Performance Management, Systems & Team Leadership

• Analyze utilization, efficiency, productivity, service, and inventory performance; identify variances and root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Compile and maintain metrics and scorecards aligned to departmental/strategic goals; respond to requests for production, inventory, and shipping performance data.
• Utilize business intelligence and reporting tools to prepare analyses for staff-level review and decision-making.
• Understand and monitor ERP functionality; maintain Tier 1 proficiency and support adherence to standard processes.
• Lead and support Production Planners, including assigning priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring prescribed departmental service levels are met.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide ongoing feedback, and support employee development.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day-to-day direction for Production Planners and ensure schedules and priorities are aligned with the production plan.
• Participate in enterprise planning forums, including the Corporate Tooling Committee, S&OP Meetings and the monthly Capacity Planning meeting.
• Prepare and manage the annual departmental budget.
• Comply with all food safety and workplace safety policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Perform other duties as assigned and relevant to the role.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations, Packaging, Production Management, or a related field.
• APICS education/certification preferred; required within 5 years of assuming the position (e.g., CPIM modules).

EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

• 5–7+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management and production activity control (JIT, capacity management, MPS, MRP).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; effective cross-functional partner.
• Comfortable with computers/ERP and data-driven decision-making; above-average math/numerical reasoning; self-motivated and goal-oriented.

EQUIPMENT/ASSETS USED:

• Computer/laptop, telephone/headset, printer/copier/scanner, Microsoft Teams, ERP software, Power BI

CONTACTS:

• Plant Managers, Production Managers, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Production Planners, Customer Success, Demand Planner, Sales

SUPERVISION:

• Reports to Director of Demand Management; manages Production Planners