Production Planner

Production Planner (Bilingual: Japanese / English Preferred) Role Summary Seeking a detail-oriented Production Planner to coordinate production schedules and support Make-to-Stock (MTS) operations. The role focuses on balancing demand, capacity, and inventory to ensure efficient production, on-time delivery, and strong cross-functional communication. Key Responsibilities Review sales orders and forecasts to prioritize production based on delivery timelines, material availability, and capacity Plan and schedule daily production activities and product trials Maintain appropriate safety stock levels to meet customer and operational needs Monitor demand, supply constraints, and production status to identify scheduling risks Collaborate with Purchasing to track material availability through MRP and update forecasts Resolve issues related to materials, manpower, machinery, or planning affecting delivery timelines Communicate order status with Sales, Customer Service, Procurement, Production, Warehouse, and Shipping teams Support continuous improvement initiatives in production and engineering processes Prepare production status reports and planning metrics Participate in daily cross-functional production planning meetings Perform additional duties as assigned Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience 5+ years of manufacturing experience; production planning experience preferred Experience with MRP/ERP systems (JD Edwards preferred) Bilingual in Japanese and English preferred Skills & Competencies Strong organizational and time-management skills Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities Ability to work independently and manage pressure in fast-paced environments Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes, inventory planning, and supply chain operations Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities Close attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety Adaptability to changing priorities and production schedules Technical Skills Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Experience with JD Edwards or similar MRP/ERP systems Preferred Certification APICS certification Work Environment Combination of office and manufacturing settings Regular computer work with occasional walking and reaching Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally The manufacturing environment may include both temperature-controlled and non-controlled areas.