15 Production Planner Skills for Your Career and Resume

Production planners are responsible for ensuring that manufacturing facilities have the materials and resources they need to produce products. They use a variety of skills to develop production plans, track progress and optimize production schedules. If you’re interested in a career as a production planner, understanding the skills that are essential to this job can help you determine if it’s the right path for you.

MRP

MRP is a software program that production planners use to create and manage the production schedule for their company. This includes assigning tasks, creating milestones and estimating how long it will take to complete each task. Production planners who have strong MRP skills can create more accurate schedules that help them meet deadlines and reduce costs associated with overproduction.

Time Management

Time management is the ability to plan and track your work so you can complete tasks on time. Production planners often have multiple projects at once, which requires them to manage their time effectively. This skill allows production planners to meet deadlines for each project they oversee and ensures that all of their projects are progressing smoothly.

Data Analysis

Data analysis is the ability to interpret and understand data. Production planners use data analysis skills when creating production schedules, as they need to know how many resources are needed for each task and what the average time it takes to complete a task is. Data analysis also helps production planners determine if their production plan is feasible or not.

Inventory Management

Production planners use their inventory management skills to track the materials needed for production. They also use these skills when creating a production schedule, which requires knowing how long it takes to produce certain products and what resources are needed at each stage of production. Production planners who have strong inventory management skills can help ensure that production teams have the necessary materials on time and minimize any disruptions in production.

Analytical Skills

Production planners use analytical skills to analyze data and information about production processes. They need to be able to interpret data, evaluate the success of a process and determine how to improve it. Production planners also use analytical skills when creating schedules for production processes. They need to understand how long each step in the process takes so they can create an accurate schedule that ensures all steps are completed on time.

ERP

ERP is an acronym for enterprise resource planning, a software system that companies use to manage their resources. Production planners often use ERP systems to track the production process and ensure that all departments receive the materials they need on time. They also use these systems to monitor inventory levels and forecast future needs.

Production Scheduling

Production planners use scheduling skills to create production schedules that outline the steps of a project and when they should occur. This includes determining how long each step may take, what resources are needed for each step and any deadlines by which certain steps must be completed. Production planners also use scheduling skills to develop work shifts for employees and determine when equipment maintenance is necessary.

Quality Control

Quality control is the ability to ensure that a product meets certain standards. Production planners use quality control skills when reviewing production processes and materials to determine if they can produce a high-quality product. For example, if a company produces food products, a production planner may check each batch of ingredients to make sure it’s safe for consumption.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information in a clear and understandable manner. Production planners often communicate with many different people, including employees, managers, suppliers and customers. Strong communication skills can help production planners relay messages effectively and maintain positive relationships with others.

Supply Chain Management

Production planners use supply chain management skills to track and manage the materials, equipment and other resources needed for production. They also analyze their company’s procurement processes to determine if there are ways they can streamline or improve them. Production planners who have strong supply chain management skills can help ensure that their company has the necessary materials and supplies when it’s time to start production.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. Production planners use problem-solving skills when they encounter challenges in their work, such as a machine breaking down or an employee being absent from work. Being able to solve problems quickly can help production planners maintain productivity levels and ensure that projects are completed on time.

Project Management

Project management skills are important for production planners because they help them manage the various tasks that need to be completed in order to create a product. Production planners use project management skills when creating schedules, assigning resources and overseeing projects from start to finish.

Product Lifecycle Management

Production planners use product lifecycle management skills to determine the lifespan of a product and how it changes over time. For example, if a car model has an average lifespan of five years, production planners can create plans for each year that include what needs to be produced, when it should be produced and where it should be stored. This ensures that the company produces enough products to meet consumer demand while also reducing waste by storing unneeded products.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. Production planners often have many projects at once, so it’s important for them to be able to prioritize their work and maintain a clear sense of direction. They also need to be able to manage large amounts of data effectively, including tracking employee information, project details and other records that are necessary for effective planning.

Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a production management strategy that focuses on reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Production planners who have lean manufacturing skills can help their companies save money by minimizing the amount of raw materials they use, which reduces costs and increases profits. They also know how to streamline processes so employees can work more efficiently and complete tasks faster.

How Can I Learn These Production Planner Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become a production planner. Firstly, you can take some time to research and study the different aspects of production planning. This will give you a good foundation of knowledge to work from. Secondly, you can find a production planning course offered by a college or university. This will give you a more hands-on approach to learning the necessary skills. Finally, you can look for a production planning position at a company. This will allow you to gain first-hand experience in the field.