Production Planner job description.
A Production Planner schedules manufacturing operations to align output with demand, inventory levels, and resource availability. They coordinate with procurement, production, and sales teams to ensure materials and capacity are in place to meet delivery commitments efficiently.
The Production Planner job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Production Planner Reports to: Production Manager or Supply Chain Manager
A Production Planner schedules manufacturing operations to align output with demand, inventory levels, and resource availability. They coordinate with procurement, production, and sales teams to ensure materials and capacity are in place to meet delivery commitments efficiently.
- Develop and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts
- Coordinate material availability with procurement and inventory teams
- Balance production capacity against order and delivery requirements
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Production Manager or Supply Chain Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Develop and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts
- Coordinate material availability with procurement and inventory teams
- Balance production capacity against order and delivery requirements
- Monitor work-in-progress and adjust schedules for delays or changes
- Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies
- Communicate schedule changes to production, sales, and logistics teams
- Support inventory planning to minimize excess stock and shortages
- Maintain accurate records in ERP or production planning systems
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field
- Experience with ERP or production planning software
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and capacity planning
- 2+ years of production planning or scheduling experience
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM)
- Experience with lean manufacturing principles
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Production Planner job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Production Planner job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Production Manager or Supply Chain Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What software do production planners typically use?
- Most rely on ERP or MRP systems such as SAP or Oracle, often combined with spreadsheets for ad hoc scheduling analysis.
- Is APICS certification necessary for this role?
- It is not required for entry into the field, but CPIM or similar certification is often valued for career advancement into senior planning roles.
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Logistics Manager
A Logistics Manager oversees the movement of goods from suppliers through warehouses to customers, coordinating transportation, warehousing, and inventory to meet cost and service targets.
This Production Planner job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.