What does a production planner do?

Imagine going to work every day, knowing that it is up to you and your team to keep a complex system of forces and decisions running smoothly. It is a system comprising machines, people, materials and time – a system that must be precise, efficient and reliable. This is the day-to-day reality for production planners. They are key players behind the scenes in production, problem-solvers and strategists who set the pace of the day for many employees.

The responsibilities of a production planner are demanding and multifaceted. They require a combination of strategic thinking, practical problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the interrelationships within production. The production planner ensures that everything runs smoothly – from the timely delivery of raw materials, in collaboration with the materials planning department, right through to the on-time completion of the end product. Production planning works alongside production managers to ensure that all the cogs in the production process mesh together, that every step is carefully thought through, and that every single part of the whole is in the right place at the right time.

General duties of a production planner

The primary role of a production planner is to manage the production process in such a way that it runs both efficiently and cost-effectively. A key aspect of this is meeting deadlines – ensuring that all products are completed on time. In doing so, the production planner works closely with the sales, procurement and logistics departments. Together with the plant and production managers, they ensure that production capacities are always aligned with market demands.

It is not just the scheduling aspect that matters. Cost optimisation also plays an integral role. The production planner works continuously to make the production process as efficient as possible without compromising quality. There is also a constant focus on accurately determining requirements: what materials are needed, and in what quantities, to keep production running? The aim is to make accurate forecasts in order to avoid unnecessarily high stock levels.

Specific daily tasks

No two days are ever the same for a production planner, and they are often faced with unforeseen tasks. A key aspect of their day-to-day work is stock management. They regularly monitor stocks of raw materials, semi-finished goods and finished products to ensure that the materials currently required for production are always available. This involves not only ensuring that materials are available but also monitoring the flow of materials, identifying any potential bottlenecks at an early stage and eliminating them.

Another important issue is determining batch sizes. This decision affects how many products are manufactured per production run. Larger batch sizes can reduce production costs, whilst smaller batch sizes offer greater flexibility in other respects. The production planner finds the optimal balance here.

Cooperation with other departments

A production planner does not work in isolation. Rather, they rely on close cooperation with other departments. Contact with the shop floor, in particular, is crucial. This is where it becomes clear whether the planning is in line with actual production conditions. Adjustments are made when unforeseen problems arise or machines suddenly become unavailable.

The procurement department is also a key partner. If materials are missing or delivered late, this can significantly disrupt production. In such cases, it is the production planner’s responsibility to quickly find alternatives or work out solutions with the purchasing department. Communication with the sales department is equally important in order to be able to respond to short-term changes in customer demand.

The Human Resources department also plays a key role as a point of contact for production planning. Production orders may be rescheduled at short notice, which may therefore require additional staff. Here, too, the production planner works closely with the Human Resources department to ensure that sufficient qualified staff are available. Management is the next point of contact for strategic matters, such as investments in new machinery or production capacity. This often involves regular meetings with senior management, during which the production planner ensures an effective flow of information through skilful reporting and the use of dashboards.

Challenges in the day-to-day work of a production planner

The day-to-day work of a production planner is characterised by unpredictability and rapid changes. Sudden changes in demand or in the production process often require rapid adjustments. These may be caused by seasonal fluctuations, public holidays or unforeseen events. The production planner must remain flexible and be able to find solutions that ensure operations run smoothly.

A common problem in production planning is bottlenecks in production. These can be caused by various factors, such as machine downtime, material shortages or a lack of skilled workers. There are various approaches to resolving such bottlenecks. Predictive maintenance can minimise machine breakdowns, whilst alternative supplier strategies can reduce material shortages. Flexible workforce planning, which allows for the short-term deployment of additional staff, also helps to prevent production downtime. Digital tools for bottleneck analysis and simulation also enable the early identification of potential problems, so that appropriate measures can be taken in good time.

Another area presenting a constant challenge is striking a balance between costs and meeting deadlines. Production planners are often faced with the difficult task of choosing between an efficient production process and the need to deliver all orders on time. In many cases, making the right choice between trade-offs is crucial to success.

The tools of a production planner

The work of a production planner is now supported by a wide range of modern tools that make their tasks more efficient. The days when all planning was done with pen and paper are largely over. Nowadays, digital production planning software and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are used. These software solutions enable the planner to monitor stock levels in real time, manage production efficiently and respond quickly to changes. They facilitate precise coordination between the various departments, identify bottlenecks at an early stage and thus ensure smooth production.

By using FEKOR, tetys’ PPS system, it becomes possible to draw up robust and workable production plans that do not require constant adjustments or last-minute changes. The solution not only improves planning accuracy but also raises service levels, reduces set-up costs and thus helps to optimise the entire production chain. The integrated functions for the early identification of problems and the ability to always have the right information to hand lay the foundations for a stress-free and efficient way of working. With FEKOR, production planners can optimise their workflows and ensure that they don’t overlook anything – a valuable tool for maintaining an overview even in complex production environments.

Production planning: a wide range of applications – our solutions keep pace

The production planner is the unsung architect behind production. They ensure that the complex production system runs smoothly by coordinating resources, monitoring stock levels and efficiently managing production. Without their constant dedication, planning and adaptability, production would grind to a halt. It is a role that requires not only technical knowledge but also communication and problem-solving skills – and one that always remains somewhat in the background whilst production runs smoothly.

In addition to FEKOR, our tetys MES also enables a significant reduction in planning effort. Here, thanks to the simultaneous recording of multiple process values, the planner is kept informed of the current status of production at all times and can react immediately to changes. And if the prospect of a comprehensive software roll-out in your company still seems a long way off for the moment: the process and planning expertise of our specialists is available to you not only through our software products. Our team would be happy to work with you in our tetys Optimisation Workshop to first develop a basic strategy tailored to your processes. Or you could take a look at our new tetys planning flex model. Those who set the course today will secure a decisive competitive advantage in the long term.