Job Description

The Value Stream Material & Production Planner coordinates all planning and scheduling activities within the assigned value stream to align supply, capacity, and customer demand. This position ensures steady material flow, efficient production execution, and consistent on-time delivery by integrating supply chain, production, procurement, and customer service functions. Success in this role is measured by schedule reliability, inventory accuracy, and value stream responsiveness.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Planning

• Develop and maintain the master production schedule (daily/weekly/monthly as appropriate) to balance customer demand, capacity, and efficiency.
• Translate demand plans into executable production schedules that maximize efficiency, labor utilization, and material readiness.
• Lead schedule recovery efforts after downtime or material delays through cross-functional coordination.
• Report schedule adherence metrics weekly to Value Stream Manager.
• Partner with operations leadership to ensure adherence to the schedule and continuous improvement in throughput and flow.

Material Planning

• Create and manage material requirement plans (MRP) to ensure timely availability of raw materials, components, and subassemblies.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to track supplier OTIF (On-Time, In-Full) performance.
• Maintain and audit MRP master data parameters quarterly to ensure accuracy.
• Identify potential shortages or obsolescence risk and propose mitigation plans.
• Ensure synchronization of material availability with production schedules to prevent line stoppages and minimize excess inventory.
• Support implementation and sustainment of pull systems, Kanban, and other lean replenishment methods.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Represent the planning function in daily value stream and tier meetings.
• Provide short-interval updates to leadership on material and schedule constraints.
• Communicate effectively with foundry, procurement, logistics, engineering, and quality to resolve planning conflicts and ensure smooth execution.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for schedule or supply-related issues.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion standard work for planning processes and maintain documented procedures.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance material flow, scheduling accuracy, and inventory efficiency.
• Lead or participate in kaizen events focused on scheduling accuracy, inventory reduction, and material flow.

Qualifications

** REQUIREMENTS**

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4–6 years of experience in production and/or materials planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with foundry and/or heavy manufacturing preferred.
• Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (Microsoft Dynamics AX and /or 365 preferred).
• Solid understanding of lean manufacturing principles and value stream management.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and production planning tools.
• Familiarity with visual management and production control boards.
• APICS or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred (CPIM, CSCP, or Green Belt).

Additional Information

** WORK ENVIRONMENT**

• Must be able to tolerate working in a manufacturing environment, including exposure to noise, dust, grease, heat, and varying temperatures.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed shoes, and other gear as required by the work area.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a loud production environment

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Kennedy Valve Co. is an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to perform substance abuse testing. McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation , veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA - gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.