Production

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Production Planner manages the end-to-end production lifecycle for our batch grease manufacturing operations. Based at the plant level, this critical supply chain role bridges high-level planning with daily plant execution. The Planner is responsible for overseeing the entire journey of the product"from initial scheduling and batch manufacturing to final packaging and outbound shipping. Operating in a high-volume, complex manufacturing environment, this position builds detailed, shift-level schedules that optimize kettle utilization, minimize product-to-product changeover times, and ensure strict delivery timelines are met. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who can balance complex raw material constraints, equipment capacities, and shipping logistics while maintaining peak operational efficiency.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• End-to-End Lifecycle Scheduling: Develop and execute highly accurate, shift-level production schedules covering the entire lifecycle of batch grease products, including raw chemical blending, kettle cooking, filling, packaging, and final staging for shipment.
• Kettle & Asset Optimization: Sequence manufacturing batches to optimize grease kettle utilization, carefully managing cooling times, base oil viscosity transitions, and thickener types to minimize equipment cross-contamination and washouts.
• Material & Component Coordination: Partner with procurement and raw material planners to ensure the precise, just-in-time arrival of base oils, chemical additives, thickeners, and packaging components (drums, pails, cartridges, and bulk totes).
• Packaging Line Synchronization: Schedule and balance automated and manual filling lines, aligning packaging availability directly with batch completion times to maintain an optimal flow and avoid floor bottlenecks.
• Shipping & Logistics Coordination: Sequence inbound feedstock deliveries and outbound truck or railcar shipments, ensuring finished grease products are dispatched on time and plant storage capacities are tightly managed.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Serve as the central hub aligning batch operators, packaging supervisors, maintenance crews, quality control lab technicians, and warehouse logistics teams.
• Real-Time Agility: Monitor plant floor progress continuously and dynamically adjust schedules to mitigate disruptions such as mechanical kettle issues, material delays, or urgent, high-priority customer orders.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (GED). An associates degree or specialized training in supply chain/logistics is a plus but not required.
• Experience: 3 to 5+ years of direct experience in manufacturing production scheduling or finite capacity planning, with a strong preference for backgrounds in batch chemical processing, lubricants, petroleum refining, or bulk liquid operations, is a plus but not required.

Job General Benefits