Hunter Campbell’s Mastering Supply Chain Series profiles roles within the Supply Chain job family including jobs in demand, salaries, and employment prospects.
In this article, the role of Production Planner is in the spotlight.
Purpose of the Role
The role of a Production Planner is essential within the supply chain of companies that manufacture their own products. As a Production Planner, you are tasked with determining the optimal quantity of goods to be produced and the frequency of production runs. This position serves as a vital link in the supply chain, collaborating closely with Demand Planners, Supply Planners, and Production Managers to enhance the efficiency of the production process.
Production plans can vary significantly in their cycles, ranging from daily, weekly or monthly schedules. Additionally, rough cut capacity planning may extend over 12 months or more, ensuring the effective management of raw materials and the ability to adapt to changing demands. A robust production plan is crucial for minimising lead times and maximising efficiencies within the organisation.
Recruitment Forecast 2025
With inflation easing and signs of increasing consumer demand, the need for experienced production planners in 2025 is set to grow. Businesses will look for professionals who can manage high-volume production across expanded shifts and lines, ensuring smooth operations in a more dynamic environment.
The skills honed during 2023 and 2024—such as driving throughput efficiencies, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and achieving cost savings—will position production planners as invaluable assets to their organisations. Those who can effectively articulate the value of their contributions and demonstrate their impact on the bottom line will be highly sought after by employers looking to strengthen their planning capabilities.
Career Prospects
Production Planners engage daily with a wide range of stakeholders, including Demand Planners, Raw Material Planners, Inventory Controllers, Warehouse Managers, and Production Managers. A solid understanding of these roles and their impacts on production is essential.
With an awareness of the critical functions involved in production and transferable planning and analytical skills, opportunities exist to transition into more specialised roles. These may include Junior Demand Planner, Raw Materials Planner, Supply Planner, or even positions within warehousing or production itself.
Qualifications
There are various pathways to becoming a Production Planner.
Candidates often emerge from hands-on production or factory roles, progressing through the ranks due to their understanding of the production process. It is common to see individuals advance from coordinator positions to Production Planners, leveraging their knowledge of the fundamentals of demand, supply, and production integration.
From an educational standpoint, many candidates possess a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Supply Chain Management, providing them with a strong theoretical foundation for entering roles such as Production Planner. Other notable qualifications include the cer in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) from NZPICS.
Key Skills Required
- Planning and organisational skills: Critical for collaborating effectively with key stakeholders across the supply chain.
- Ability to work under pressure: Competence in making quick decisions when plans require adjustment.
- Technical proficiency: Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel skills for accurate planning.
- Numerical skills: Essential for effectively managing various systems and data analysis in Excel.
- Excellent communication skills: Ability to convey information clearly and effectively across different teams and stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail: Necessary for creating and reviewing production plans to ensure precision and accuracy.
Salary Guide
The following salary ranges are anecdotal and based on current and previous roles that Hunter Campbell has recruited for, reflecting base salaries without additional bonuses or benefits:
- Junior: $75,000 – $85,000
- Intermediate: $85,000 – $95,000
- Advanced: $95,000 – $105,000
- Leadership: $105,000 – $120,000
Salaries for Production Planners can vary significantly based on the level of responsibility, including the number of SKUs, production lines, and/or sites managed. Compensation may also differ between those with exclusive production experience and candidates with diverse skills in areas such as demand, supply, and inventory management.
If you would like to find out more about the role of Production Planner, please contact Senior Consultant Kat Biggelaar. Kat specialises in Supply Chain, Planning and Contracting. For more news and views, visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
