What Does a Production Planner Do?

Production planning can be a highly rewarding career for those with a keen interest in operations, logistics and problem-solving. Playing a crucial role in the manufacturing process, production planners support a variety of businesses and industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What is the Role of a Production Planner?

A production planner has the role of ensuring that all aspects of production run smoothly, efficiently and on schedule, according to Emily Grime, adjunct instructor with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Grime teaches courses in project management, ethics and leadership in the SNHU undergraduate business administration program.

In addition to teaching at SNHU, Grime works in the biopharmaceutical and medical industry. She leads global projects and initiatives related to operations, devices, FDA approval and more. Production planning is an integral part of her work.

What Are the Functions of Production Planning?

A production planner’s key responsibilities typically encompass a range of mission-critical tasks necessary to ensure efficient and effective processes. According to Grime, these responsibilities may include:

• Demonstrating Technical Proficiency. Using production planning software and tools such as databases is key to success as a production planner.
• Developing and Maintaining Production Schedules. This includes using software tools and systems to align production activities with delivery dates, customer orders and inventory levels.
• Maintaining Schedules and Resource Allocation. Strong communication skills are important here because the production planner will need to liaise with various departments and stakeholders. They’ll also need to apply strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines, Grime said.
• Monitoring and Controlling Inventory Levels. To do this, the production planner works closely with procurement and warehouse teams to manage raw materials, components and finished goods. “They may also balance inventory to prevent overstocking or stockouts,” Grime said.

These skills all have one very important thing in common: problem-solving. Sound problem-solving skills allow you to identify and develop effective solutions quickly and can be applied to any aspect of the production planning process.

What Type of Education Do You Need to Become a Project Planner?

If you want to break into the production planning field, earning a combination of a college degree and professional certification can prove helpful. Gaining experience in planning management and data analysis tools may also give you an edge.

Degree

A bachelor's degree in business administration is a key foundational credential to work in the field, Grime said.

Grime also said that earning a bachelor’s degree is particularly useful in this field because production planning requires a strong sense of time management as well as keen logistical skills. Coursework as an undergraduate business student can provide the academic foundation and practice needed to develop these skills.

When exploring bachelor’s degree programs, you may wish to consider potential concentrations within the major. In particular, a business degree with a concentration in project management, as just one example, can be beneficial because the coursework may involve study in contracting and procurement, among other areas. This study can help you build the skills needed to “coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments . . . according to (a) production schedule,” as noted by BLS.

While a bachelor’s degree is often sufficient to work in the field, a master’s degree can help you advance your career even further.

“A master’s degree, such as an MBA with a focus on Operations or Supply Chain Management . . . can provide deeper knowledge and open up opportunities for higher-level positions and increased responsibilities,” Grime said.

Certifications

Earning professional certifications on top of your bachelor’s degree can be helpful to build a career in production planning as well.

Some certifications shared by Grime are through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). She specifically noted the Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) designation and the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation as key.

There are additional certifications that could be useful as well. "Certifications like Lean Six Sigma . . . are highly valued and provide expertise in production and inventory management, procurement, supply chain management and process improvement,” Grime said.

Proficiency With Planning Management and Data Analysis Tools

Another way to prepare yourself for a career in production planning is to gain proficiency in the tools of the trade. In addition to having advanced spreadsheet skills with tools like Excel, Grime recommended considering learning and using one or more of the following:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP or Oracle. These tools help you integrate finance, human resources, supply chain, procurement and more.
• Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) systems. More a method than a specific type of software, an MRP allows you to define needed materials, estimate quantities and manage the production and delivery schedules.
• Tableau and Power BI. Both are tools to help you manage and interpret data, run reports and conduct data analyses.

While learning these tools is not a requirement to work in the field, the more experience you have in commonly used tools, the more valuable an employee you can be.

What is the Career Outlook for Production Planners?

Production planners are needed in a wide range of industries, from automotive and electronics to pharmaceuticals and food production, according to Grime. “This variety allows individuals to choose an industry that aligns with their interests and skills,” she said.

Moreover, this is a career field that can offer significant room for advancement if that’s something that interests you. While graduate degrees and additional training through certifications are not required to work in this field, obtaining that additional education and training can make you more competitive for promotions over time. “With experience and additional qualifications, production planners can move into higher-level positions such as production manager, supply chain manager or operations director,” said Grime.

Production planners earned a median salary of $53,900 in 2023, according to BLS.* And the job outlook for production managers is projected to grow about as fast as average between 2022 and 2032 for all occupations in the United States, according to BLS.*  

Is Production Planning a Good Career?

Because manufacturing and production are fundamental to the economy, the role of the production planner is key in many industries. “Efficient production planning is essential for companies to remain competitive,” Grime said. “As a result, there is a consistent demand for skilled production planners.”*

Production planning is a career that allows for job satisfaction and career growth. With practical experience, the right education and key certifications under your belt, a role in production planning could help build foundational knowledge and experience as well as allow for a rewarding career.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn.