Junior Production Planner

POSITION SUMMARY

The Print Planner works with Project Management and various support functions to create an effective and efficient print plan and time line that assures successful execution of the project.  This position provides the organization with print planning information and time line target dates that support the creation of activity schedules.  The Print Planner creates and maintains print scheduling for all projects and provides print manufacturing capacity forecasting and planning.
 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Gathers project information to acquire a complete understanding of the project scope and requirements.
•    Attends KO, Concept Review, Engineering, Production KO, and account team meetings.
•    Initiates both in-house and outsourced print planning activities as appropriate depending on project scope and requirements while sourcing cost and evaluating options.
•    Working with Project Management and various support functions, creates and communicates a print plan and time line with key milestones and target dates that will assure successful execution of the project.
•    In response to Client / Project Management demand, provides print planning input against current available info and reacts to changing project scope and requirements as the situation dictates.
•    In collaboration with the Project Management, creates a print plan and timeline that will assure successful completion of the project.  Documents, communicates, and maintains the project time line and target dates.
•    Determines the appropriate print work centers and estimates the rough capacity requirements.
•    Based on the project plan and working in conjunction with engineering, production art, manufacturing, and scheduling, determines the required work centers.
•    Estimates the rough capacity requirements by machines.  Documents and maintains the rough capacity planning data.
•    Identifies print project activities and determines the detailed activity timelines that specify key milestones and target dates.  Communicates and posts timelines and target dates.
•    Once activities are identified, assigns print target dates as required to meet key milestones.  Documents, communicates, and maintain the activity timelines and target dates.
•    Provides a confirmation of the print delivery schedule to Project Management.
•    Confirms a print delivery date to the Project Management that is based on a project plan and timeline that assures successful completion of the project.
•    Provides print planning information to appropriate groups to support the generation and maintenance of a master project schedule and facility, work center, and machine activity schedules so that timeline target dates are met.
•    Interacts directly with scheduling staff as required to assure that the planned schedules support the successful completion of the project.
•    Creates, compiles, maintains, and communicates print capacity planning data via reports, charts, planning boards, or schedules based on the appropriate time frames by activity.
•    Monitors and reviews the print capacity planning data regularly with the appropriate activity managers in order to maintain a high level of awareness of capacity status.
•    Evaluates, plans, and recommends out sourcing of print manufacturing activities as required in order to meet timeline target dates.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

•    By monitoring forecasts, capacity planning data, and schedules, predicts potential manufacturing capacity constraints.

•    Engages the appropriate project managers to describe and evaluate the recommendations for outsourced activities to decide the course of action.  Communicates action plans as required.
•    Working with the master scheduler, provides information required to create, maintain, and communicate the master project schedule.
•    Provides re-planning in reaction to changes to project requirements or activity timeline dates.
•    As project scope or requirements change or in response to client or project management demands, revises print planning, timelines, and schedules as the situation dictates.  
•    All other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Arts or related field
•    4+ years of previous print planning experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
•    Occasional travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
•    High degree of proficiency in MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
•    Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
•    Solid understanding and application of mathematical concepts.
•    Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as, internal and external clients.
•    Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
•    Ability to work with and influence peers and management.
•    Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.
•    Ability to work overtime as necessary.
 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

•    Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk, hear and see.  
•    Regularly/Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.