The job of a production planner.

Imagine going to work every day knowing that it's up to you and your team to keep a complex system of forces and decisions in motion. It's a system made up of machines, people, materials and time - a system that needs to be precise, efficient and reliable. This is the everyday life of a production planner. They are crucial players behind the scenes of production, problem solvers and strategists who set the pace of the day for many employees.

The tasks of a production planner are demanding and complex. They require a mixture of strategic thinking, practical problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the interrelationships within production. Production planning ensures that everything runs smoothly - from the timely delivery of raw materials to the on-time completion of the end product. They ensure that all the gears in the production process mesh, that every step is well thought out and that each individual part of the whole is in the right place at the right time.

General tasks of a production planner

The basic task of a production planner is to manage the production process in such a way that it is both efficient and cost-conscious. A central aspect of this is adherence to deadlines - ensuring that all products are completed on time. Here, the production planner liaises closely with the sales and purchasing departments. The production planner ensures that production capacities are always adapted to market requirements and that all required materials are available on time.

Deadlines are not the only decisive factor. Cost optimization also plays an integral role. The production planner works continuously to make the production process as efficient as possible without jeopardizing quality. Precise determination of requirements is also a constant focus: what materials are needed in what quantities to keep production running? It is important to make accurate predictions in order to avoid unnecessarily excessive stock levels.

Specific daily tasks

A production planner's day is never the same, and he is often faced with unforeseen tasks. Inventory management is a central topic in his daily routine. He regularly monitors the stocks of raw materials, semi-finished goods and finished products to ensure that the material currently required for production is always available. This is not just about having material available, but also about making it available at the right time and in the right quantity.

Another important issue is the determination of batch sizes. This decision influences how many products are manufactured per start-up. Larger batch sizes can reduce production costs, while smaller batch sizes offer more flexibility in other directions. The production planner finds the optimum compromise here.

Co-operation with other departments

A production planner does not work in isolation. Rather, they are dependent on close co-operation with other departments. Contact with the shop floor is particularly crucial. This is where it becomes clear whether the planning harmonizes with the actual production conditions. Adjustments are made if unforeseen problems occur or machines are suddenly unavailable.

Purchasing is also an important partner. If materials are missing or delivered late, this can have a significant impact on production. In such cases, it is the job of the production planner to quickly find alternatives or work out solutions with the purchasing department. It is equally important to liaise with the sales department in order to be able to react to short-term changes in customer demand.

Personnel planning also plays a central role. Production orders may be postponed or additional labour may be required. Here too, the production planner works closely with the HR department to ensure that sufficient qualified employees are available. Management is the next point of contact for strategic issues, such as investments in new machines or production capacities. Regular appointments with the company’s management are a common practice, her, the production planner ensures an efficient stream of information through state of the art reporting and dashboarding.

Challenges in the everyday life of a production planner

The everyday life of a production planner is characterized by unpredictability and rapid changes. Sudden changes in demand or in the production process often require quick adjustments. This can be due to seasonal fluctuations, special public holidays or unforeseen events. The production planner must remain flexible and be able to find solutions that ensure a smooth process.

Bottlenecks in production are a common problem in production planning. These can be caused by various factors, such as machine downtimes, material shortages or a lack of skilled workers. There are different approaches to solving such bottlenecks. Predictive maintenance can minimize machine downtime, while alternative supplier strategies can reduce material bottlenecks. Flexible personnel planning, which allows additional workers to be deployed at short notice, also helps to avoid production downtime. Digital tools for bottleneck analysis and simulation also enable potential problems to be identified at an early stage so that suitable measures can be taken in good time.

Another common problem arises from the balance between costs and adherence to deadlines. The production planner is often faced with the difficult task of deciding 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

Today, the work of a production planner is supported by a variety 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 allow planners to monitor stocks in real time, control production efficiently and react quickly to changes. They enable precise coordination between the various departments, identify bottlenecks at an early stage and thus ensure smooth production.

By using FEKOR, the PPS system from tetys, it is possible to create solid and realizable production plans that do not require constant adjustments and hectic reworking. The solution not only increases planning accuracy, but also raises service levels, reduces set-up costs and thus contributes to optimizing the entire production chain. The integrated functions for the early identification of problems and the ability to always have the right information at hand create the basis for a stress-free and efficient way of working. With FEKOR, production planners can optimize their workflows and ensure that they do not overlook anything - a valuable support for maintaining an overview even in complex production environments.

Production planning: versatile application profile - our solutions keep pace

The production planner is the hidden architect behind production. They ensure that the complex production system works by coordinating resources, monitoring stock levels and managing production efficiently. Without their continuous commitment, planning and adaptability, production would grind to a halt. It's a job that requires not only technical knowledge, but also communication and problem-solving skills - and always staying a little in the background while production runs smoothly.

In addition to FEKOR, also our tetys MES enables a considerable reduction in planning effort. Here, the planner is informed about the current status of production at all times thanks to the multiple recording of process values and can react immediately to changes. And if the step towards a comprehensive software implementation in your company still seems too far away for the moment: our experts' process and planning expertise is not only available to you via our software products. Our team will be happy to work with you in our tetys Optimization Workshop to develop a basic strategy that is tailored to your processes. Or you can take a look at our new tetys planning flex model.