Job Summary:
The Planning Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning function to ensure the effective alignment of customer demand, production capacity, material availability, and inventory strategies. This role develops integrated planning processes that support operational excellence, service level achievement, cost optimization, and sustainable business growth.
The incumbent serves as a key member of the plant leadership team and acts as the primary link between Commercial, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Warehouse, and Logistics functions. The Planning Manager drives Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), inventory optimization, production scheduling, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring accurate and timely execution of business plans.
Job Responsibilities:
- 1. Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Develop and execute planning strategies aligned with organizational goals and business growth objectives.
- Lead and manage the planning department to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
- Establish planning policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency and compliance across operations.
- Build organizational capability by coaching, mentoring, and developing the planning team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
2. Demand Planning & Forecast Management
- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service teams to develop accurate demand forecasts.
- Review forecast trends, historical sales data, market intelligence, and customer requirements to improve planning accuracy.
- Lead monthly demand review processes and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities.
- Identify forecast risks and opportunities and develop contingency plans accordingly.
- Drive forecast accuracy improvement initiatives across the organization.
3. Production Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and maintain master production schedules that balance customer demand with available production capacity.
- Ensure production plans are optimized to maximize productivity, resource utilization, and operational efficiency.
- Coordinate with manufacturing teams to ensure achievable production schedules and smooth execution.
- Monitor schedule adherence and drive corrective actions for planning variances.
- Analyse production constraints and develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions.
4. Material Planning & Inventory Management
- Ensure uninterrupted material availability to support production requirements.
- Oversee material requirement planning (MRP) activities and inventory replenishment strategies.
- Optimize inventory levels while maintaining target service levels and minimizing working capital.
- Monitor key inventory metrics, including inventory turns, inventory aging, excess stock, and obsolete inventory.
- Drive initiatives to reduce inventory costs and improve inventory efficiency.
5. Capacity Planning & Resource Optimization
- Evaluate plant capacity requirements against forecasted demand.
- Conduct capacity analysis and identify bottlenecks that could impact operational performance.
- Collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to develop capacity expansion plans where required.
- Recommend workforce, equipment, and infrastructure requirements to support business growth.
- Lead scenario planning and risk analysis activities to support strategic decision-making.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Warehouse, Logistics, Sales, and Finance teams.
- Facilitate regular planning meetings to align demand, supply, inventory, and capacity plans.
- Support new product introductions (NPI), product transfers, phase-ins, and phase-outs.
- Ensure effective communication of planning priorities and operational impacts across stakeholders.
- Act as the escalation point for planning-related issues affecting customer deliveries or operational performance.
7. Performance Management & Reporting
- Establish and monitor planning KPIs to ensure operational targets are achieved.
- Develop dashboards and management reports to support business decision-making.
- Analyse planning performance trends and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Present operational performance reviews to senior management and leadership teams.
- Drive accountability for achieving agreed service, inventory, and productivity metrics.
8. Systems & Process Improvement
- Lead the optimization and continuous improvement of planning processes.
- Identify automation opportunities to improve planning efficiency and data accuracy.
- Support digital transformation initiatives within supply chain and operations.
- Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement projects related to planning activities.
9. Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform any other duties, responsibilities, projects, or assignments as directed by Management from time to time to support business operations and organizational objective.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent certification is an advantage.
- Minimum 8–10 years of experience in production planning, supply chain, or operations planning.
- Minimum 3–5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
- Experience in manufacturing environments is required.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to RM13,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- Opportunities for promotion
- Professional development
Work Location: In person