Production Engineer /Demand Planner

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Production Scheduling-requires creating and maintaining detailed production schedules, considering machine availability, material inventory, and production capacity. This aligns well with production planning principles.

• Optimize production workflows by adjusting for any variables impacting the production timeline.
• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules for flexographic and digital printing and finishing.
• Create comprehensive plans outlining production sequence, including printing, finishing, quality control, and maintenance to ensure efficient use of resources and adherence to client delivery dates
• Regularly review and update schedules to accommodate changes in client orders and production capabilities.
• Consider machine availability, material availability, and production capacity when developing schedules.

Priority Management  Identifying and addressing pre-production issues is a core responsibility, which reflects standard production control practices.

• Proactively identify and address issues or bottlenecks in the pre-production process to prevent delays and ensure smooth production flow.
• Assess production schedule and assign priorities to orders based on delivery deadlines, order readiness, and resource availability.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential production bottlenecks.
• Provide priorities to the Pre Press department to ensure scheduled orders are ready for production.

Communication and Coordination

• Provide timely updates to the Sales team on production progress and potential delays and inform any relevant information affecting client expectations.
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager and Maintenance Manager to optimize production order sequences coordinating production and maintenance efforts to minimize disruptions and maximize efficiency.
• Maintain open communication with the Sales team about schedule changes impacting delivery dates.

Staff and Resource Management

• Maximize the use of planning software to optimize schedules and automate order processing and leverage technology to streamline production workflows and improve efficiency.
• Coordinate with HR to meet staffing needs, including hiring temporary workers or adjusting shifts.
• Assess staffing levels and availability to determine maximum production capacity.
• Work closely with the Plant Manager and HR Manager to integrate all available staff into the production plan.

Schedule Monitoring and Optimization

• Closely track the progress of scheduled orders within the 10 and 5-day fixed schedules.
• Consolidate similar orders to minimize setup times and adjust production sequences to maximize machine utilization.
• Regularly review production metrics like job completion rates, material availability, and machine uptime.
• Identify potential risks or delays that may impact the schedule.
• Continuously monitor and optimize the production schedule to ensure timely order completion and efficient resource use.

Software Proficiency: 

Proficiency with planning software (Print Flow, Radius Widgets, and Power BI) is necessary, alongside ERP systems and inventory management platforms.

Data-Driven Decision-Making:

 Monitoring production metrics, job completion rates, and machine uptime requires a strong analytical approach.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

The Production Engineer /Demand Planner  will coordinate with sales, pre-press, plant management, and HR, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.