Job Description

Objective

The Planning / Scheduling Manager is responsible for leading production planning and master scheduling coordination activities across manufacturing operations to maximize efficiency, optimize capacity, and meet customer delivery commitments. This role partners cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and Supply Chain to align production schedules with demand forecasts, material availability, and operational capabilities. The role provides centralized production plans while collaborating with plant-level scheduling teams for execution and schedule optimization.

Essential Functions

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

1. Develop, implement, and continuously improve production planning processes to maximize productivity, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery performance.
2. Create and maintain detailed master production plans aligned with demand forecasts, inventory targets, and operational constraints.
3. Partner with Operations, Quality, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure production plans support customer requirements and quality standards.
4. Monitor production performance and planning accuracy; identify risks, constraints, and variances, and develop contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
5. Lead, coach, and develop planning staff to ensure accurate material planning, capacity planning, and data integrity.
6. Coordinate with Purchasing and Supply Chain to ensure timely procurement of raw materials and components required to meet production schedules and sales forecasts.
7. Review demand forecasts and adjust production plans accordingly to align with business priorities and customer commitments.
8. Prepare and present production, capacity, and performance reports to the management team.
9. Monitor yarn, work-in-process, finished fabric, and hardstock inventory levels; recommend and implement strategies to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
10. Coordinate with plant-level scheduling teams by reviewing schedules, providing planning guidance, and recommending adjustments to align with production priorities and customer commitments.
11. Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to planning systems, forecasting accuracy, and inventory optimization.

Competencies

1. Production Planning & Control
2. Data Analysis & Reporting
3. Process Improvement
4. Critical Thinking
5. Problem Solving
6. Results Orientation
7. Cross-Functional Communication
8. Leadership & Team Development

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in both a professional office and manufacturing plant environment. The employee routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and copiers. In the plant environment, the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, and chemicals and is required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, sit, walk, stand, and hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, employee may be required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, kneel and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. May require evening and weekend hours as needed to support business and production requirements.

Travel
This position requires travel of up to 25%, primarily to local manufacturing locations.

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field.
2. Prior manufacturing experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Master’s Degree.
2. Experience in Textiles.

AAP/EEO Statement

TenCate Protective Fabrics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, selection, hiring, training, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and demotion.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.