Job Description:

CTS is a $550 million corporation that employs 3,500+ dedicated people. CTS designs and manufactures electronic components, actuators, and sensors to OEMs in the automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial, and computer markets. The company manufactures products in North America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1896 as Chicago Telephone Supply, CTS is headquartered in Lisle, IL.

Job/Position Summary

The Production Planner plays a critical role in ensuring the seamless execution of manufacturing operations by developing, maintaining, and optimizing production schedules. This position is central to aligning customer requirements, material availability, and manufacturing capacity, particularly in a high-complexity environment characterized by long lead times and diverse production types. The ideal candidate will leverage expertise in SAP systems to manage inventory, synchronize production, and oversee material requirements planning (MRP) while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams. This position is pivotal in delivering high-quality Piezo Ceramic parts on schedule, balancing operational efficiency with customer satisfaction.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Develop, manage, and maintain production schedules to meet customer demand while optimizing capacity and resource utilization.
• Synchronize production schedules with material procurement and inventory management to optimize lead times and avoid production delays.
• Monitor and analyze production orders to ensure completion on time.
• Utilize SAP to track inventory, schedule production, manage material requirements planning (MRP); and align with long-lead-time planning processes.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to address production issues and ensure smooth operations.
• Implement and monitor production scheduling practices that accommodate the manufacturing complexities of Piezo Ceramic parts.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators related to production planning and capacity utilization.
• Conduct capacity planning and identify potential constraints; recommend and implement solutions to mitigate risks.
• Ensure effective communication of production plans and changes to stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation on production processes, schedules, and inventory levels.
• Spend adequate time on the production floor to understand production processes and coordinate with production to maintain schedule accuracy.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in SAP: Extensive hands-on experience in using SAP for production planning, inventory management, and MRP activities.
• Capacity Planning: Demonstrated understanding of capacity planning in a manufacturing environment with a high mix of production types.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills to assess production schedules, inventory levels, and resource utilization.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to proactively identify and resolve scheduling conflicts, production delays, and material shortages.
• Attention to Detail: High attention to detail to maintain accurate production schedules and inventory data.
• Lead Time Management: Experience in managing and synchronizing production with long manufacturing lead times.
• Production Synchronization: Ability to plan and coordinate production activities to align with manufacturing lead times for optimal throughput.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with cross-functional teams.
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment.

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in production planning or a similar role in a process manufacturing environment, with high degree of standardization and material transformation.
• Software Proficiency: Proven experience working with SAP is essential.
• Lean manufacturing (recommended): Basic understanding of lean manufacturing and principles; lean certifications a plus.

Physical Demands

• The role requires frequent walking and standing in the production areas to monitor ongoing activities and ensure synchronization of schedules with real-time production conditions.
• Ability to navigate the production floor to engage with different teams and verify the execution of production plans.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer will also be necessary for planning and data analysis tasks.
• Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds may be required.
• Occasional traveling may be required.

Working Environment

• The position is based in an office within a production plant environment.
• Exposure to a production floor with potential noise, dust, or varying temperatures.
• Flexible working hours may be required during peak production times or urgent delivery schedules.

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

We fully comply with all applicable Department of Labor and EEOC rules, regulations, guidelines, and orders including but not limited to Executive Order 11246 and 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-1.4, 60-250.5(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). The parties hereby incorporate the requirements of 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-1.4(a)(7), 29 C.F.R. Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A, 41 C.F.R. § 60-300.5(a) and 41 C.F.R. § 60-741.5(a), if applicable. Except where prohibited by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screening.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630.577.8811. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

No agencies, please. We do not accept any unsolicited resumes and are not looking to engage an agency. We receive inquiries from agencies daily. Do not direct any inquiries or emails to hiring managers. It is not our standard practice to utilize agencies; we are a federal contractor and need to comply with the same process for all.

Global Privacy Policy

Click Here to Read CTS’ Privacy Policy https://www.ctscorp.com/privacy-policy/

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