What does a Production Planning Manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A production planning manager is in charge of developing production plans in adherence to the company's budget and deadlines. It is their duty to identify the production needs and set objectives and guidelines that would usher employees into achieving a smooth and efficient workflow. They must also monitor the progress of daily production operations, resolving issues when they arise. Furthermore, as a production planning manager, it is essential to lead and encourage employees to meet production goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On This Page

Production planning manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real production planning manager resumes:

  • Conduct a periodic audit of production WIP and ensure set targets are achieve.
  • Lead project team that own the supply chain implementation / transition from legacy ERP system to BPCS.
  • Manage and reduce inventory by deploying Kanban, consign and vendor-manage inventory.
  • Create and maintain ISO procedures.
  • Maintain WIP inventory in accordance with demand.
  • Assist engineering with correcting BOM deficiencies and cost outs.
  • Implement first stages of ISO 9000 and total quality management.
  • Coordinate production plans base on capacity, BOM and material readiness.
  • Create all transaction forms for any data entry perform in ERP system.
  • Collaborate on MTO (make to order) kaizen event for low volume products which reduce inventory by $750K.
  • Develop and implement MRP WO split process which eliminate need for manual WO creation and need to manually calculate material adjustments.
  • Provide oversight of all materials processes from procurement to logistics.
  • Develop a semi computerize order scheduling system working towards a MRP network.
  • Facilitate several Kaizen events that improve process efficiency, reduce manufacturing hours and improve several non-standard project fabrication and operational processes.
  • Implement ECO's in the manufacturing process, and edit work orders to reflect proper demands.

Production planning manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Production Planning Managers are proficient in MRP, Continuous Improvement, and ERP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Negotiating skills, Math skills, and Customer-service skills.

We break down the percentage of Production Planning Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • MRP, 8%

    Developed and directed the MRP Implementation Team tasked with rendering recommendations to management hierarchy on software system enhancements.

  • Continuous Improvement, 7%

    Participate in cross functional teams that seek out continuous improvement initiatives related to manufacturing capacity and inventory optimization.

  • ERP, 6%

    Create, monitor, and evaluate for improvement many internal ERP systems or SOW procedures pertaining to logistics/supply chain/production reconciliation.

  • Logistics, 6%

    Provided oversight of all materials processes from procurement to logistics.

  • Inventory Control, 5%

    Worked in partnership with the production planning, inventory control, and manufacturing/sourcing teams to maintain facility inventory levels.

  • Lean Manufacturing, 4%

    Recruited from Delphi Automotive to implement Lean Manufacturing techniques within Supply Chain.

Common skills that a production planning manager uses to do their job include "mrp," "continuous improvement," and "erp." You can find details on the most important production planning manager responsibilities below.

Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling production planning manager duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." According to a production planning manager resume, here's how production planning managers can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "created and executed the reporting of delivery statistics and instituted corrective actions where needed. "

Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of production planning managers is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday production planning manager duties, as "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "scheduled 7 different latex products to run through 2 production lines to meet all customer needs. "

Detail oriented. production planning manager responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This resume example shows what production planning managers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "analyzed customer demand variation and raw material variation to develop detailed operation plans. "

All production planning manager skills

Choose from 10+ customizable production planning manager resume templates

Build a professional production planning manager resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your production planning manager resume.
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume
Production Planning Manager Resume

Compare different production planning managers

Production planning manager vs. Expeditor

The role of expeditors is to ensure the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of food. To accomplish this task, they also perform other duties, including managing inventory levels, managing supply requisition, and coordinating with subcontractors. They are also responsible for streamlining interdepartmental communication, monitoring job progress, and collaborating with project managers to collect relevant information about job status. This role requires specific skills and qualifications, including a high school diploma or an associate degree in food service, business management, and hospitality management, relevant work experience, and certifications in CCP, CPSM, or CPPB.

If we compare the average production planning manager annual salary with that of an expeditor, we find that expeditors typically earn a $48,204 lower salary than production planning managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both production planning manager and expeditor positions are skilled in mrp, logistics, and inventory control.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, production planning manager responsibilities require skills like "continuous improvement," "erp," "lean manufacturing," and "material availability." Meanwhile a typical expeditor has skills in areas such as "customer service," "cleanliness," "house training," and "team work." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Expeditors earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $46,040. On the other hand, production planning managers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $86,695.The education levels that expeditors earn slightly differ from production planning managers. In particular, expeditors are 10.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a production planning manager. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production planning manager vs. Master scheduler

A master scheduler is in charge of overseeing and developing a company's overall production schedule, ensuring quality and workforce adherence. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs, developing daily schedules and objectives, disseminating scheduling notices, and conducting regular inspections to ensure the completion of projects in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, a master scheduler must produce progress reports and encourage workforce members to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Master scheduler positions earn lower pay than production planning manager roles. They earn a $10,282 lower salary than production planning managers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Production planning managers and master schedulers both require similar skills like "mrp," "continuous improvement," and "erp" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that production planning manager responsibilities requires skills like "sigma," "materials management," "material planning," and "customer satisfaction." But a master scheduler might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "program management," "microsoft project," and "primavera."

Master schedulers may earn a lower salary than production planning managers, but master schedulers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $78,633. On the other hand, production planning managers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $86,695.In general, master schedulers achieve similar levels of education than production planning managers. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production planning manager vs. Inventory coordinator

An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average scale, inventory coordinators bring in lower salaries than production planning managers. In fact, they earn a $50,873 lower salary per year.By looking over several production planning managers and inventory coordinators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "mrp," "erp," and "logistics." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from production planning manager resumes include skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "material availability," and "master production schedule," whereas an inventory coordinator is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "cleanliness," "sales floor," and "purchase orders. "

Inventory coordinators earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $40,639. Production planning managers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $86,695.Most inventory coordinators achieve a lower degree level compared to production planning managers. For example, they're 9.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production planning manager vs. Material coordinator

A material coordinator is in charge of processing requisitions and ensuring that all departments receive necessary goods and materials within a company. Aside from this, they must maintain positive engagements with vendors, suppliers, and business partners, negotiate contracts, manage schedules of deliveries, and prioritize cost-efficient goods. It is also a material coordinator's responsibility to keep an accurate record of inventory, secure sensitive data, and coordinate with all departments to ensure that all transactions are efficient and precise.

Material coordinators average a lower salary than the annual salary of production planning managers. The difference is about $47,932 per year.According to resumes from production planning managers and material coordinators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "mrp," "erp," and "logistics. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between production planning managers and material coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a production planning manager might have more use for skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "process improvement," and "master production schedule." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of material coordinators require skills like "customer service," "purchase orders," "production schedules," and "data entry. "

The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for material coordinators, with average annual pay of $41,571. Comparatively, the highest production planning manager annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.In general, material coordinators hold lower degree levels compared to production planning managers. Material coordinators are 8.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of production planning manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs