Production Planner

About the role

At Stratus, every employee plays a direct role in helping the world’s most recognized brands show up consistently—everywhere they operate. The Production Planner supports production planning, part creation, job activation, and schedule coordination for our Elmhurst manufacturing operation. Working within the IFS ERP system, this position ensures new parts and production jobs are accurately established, properly documented, and ready for timely release to the manufacturing floor. The role partners closely with Project Management, Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, and other operational teams to keep work moving, resolve planning issues, and support customer delivery commitments.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain part numbers, bills of materials, routings, and related master data within IFS.
• Review and process new-part requests from Project Managers, Estimators, Engineering, Operations, and other business partners.
• Activate production jobs and ensure all required information is complete and accurate prior to release.
• Coordinate with Project Managers regarding material requirements, lead times, production timing, and potential schedule impacts.
• Support daily production planning and scheduling activities to help meet customer commitments and on-time delivery expectations.
• Monitor planning and part-creation queues, prioritizing work based on production requirements, customer deadlines, and business needs.
• Identify and resolve planning, scheduling, part setup, and ERP data issues that could disrupt production flow.
• Partner with Purchasing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management, and Customer Operations to support successful project execution.
• Maintain accurate and consistent ERP master data in accordance with established processes and standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on production planning, part creation, job activation, workflow efficiency, and IFS optimization.
• Assist with balancing planning workloads during demand fluctuations, large program launches, and periods of increased production activity.
• Generate reports and provide visibility into planning activity, part creation backlog, job readiness, and other key performance measures.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and improve planning processes as the organization continues to mature its use of IFS.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in production planning, production scheduling, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related operational role.
• Experience working within an ERP system required.
• Experience with IFS, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or another manufacturing ERP platform preferred.
• Experience within custom manufacturing, fabrication, signage, branded environments, or a project-based manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple requests and competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent attention to detail with a focus on data quality and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate with both operational and customer-facing teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to read and interpret production documentation, bills of materials, routings, and related manufacturing information.
• Ability to identify issues, determine appropriate next steps, and proactively drive work toward resolution.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a customer-service mindset.
• Ability to adapt to evolving processes, systems, and business requirements.

Benefits

• Supportive, collaborative work environment
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Regular coaching, feedback, and mentorship to support growth
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Health Savings Accounts with employer contributions
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Weekly pay schedule
• 401(k) with employer match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Volunteer Time Off
• Paid parental leave

Pay

$55,000 - $65,000 Annually. This range reflects the anticipated compensation for this role at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, education, location, and business needs. This position may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation based on the nature of the position, individual, department, and/or company performance.

Travel Requirements

This position requires travel as an essential function of the role to support in-person interaction with customers, field partners, and business stakeholders. Travel may be conducted via automobile, air, or other modes of transportation and may include overnight stays as needed.

Work Environment

This role operates in a [remote home office / hybrid office / or on-site office] environment, with regular collaboration within and across teams. The position involves extended periods of sitting, computer use, and virtual communication and interaction. Physical requirements may include lifting up to 20 pounds and general movement within an office setting.