RSU Planner/Schedule

Since 1792, AkzoNobel has supplied innovative paints and coatings that color lives and protect what matters. Our world-class portfolio—including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon—is trusted globally. Active in over 150 countries, we use our expertise to sustain and enhance everyday surfaces, delivering sustainable solutions while preserving today’s best for a better tomorrow.

About the role

Ensure the optimal scheduling of RSU production orders and their readiness on the shop floor, securing the timely availability of tinters and the fulfillment of customer orders in line with expected lead times. During new RSU implementations, represent the planning function by defining requirements, providing input, and ensuring that planning needs are integrated to achieve successful project outcomes and continuous improvement of planning operations.

The role requires a high level of autonomy in managing day-to-day planning and scheduling activities, with accountability for decision-making within the defined planning scope. The position operates with limited supervision, expected to proactively identify issues, propose solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the master production plan for RSU operations, ensuring alignment with capacity agreements, customer requirements, and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) targets.
• Schedule and release production orders to the shop floor, sequencing operations according to agreed priorities, and ensuring timely readiness of materials such as tinters, labels, and packaging components.
• Monitor daily and weekly production performance, including WIP status, order progress, and schedule adherence, taking corrective actions to ensure lead time and service targets are met.
• Manage MRP processes by resolving exceptions, maintaining accurate master data, and optimizing parameters to ensure materials availability while balancing inventory and service levels.
• Collaborate closely with Demand Planners, Material Planners, Customer Service, Quality Control, and Manufacturing teams to translate customer demand into executable production schedules and resolve operational constraints.
• Ensure data accuracy and system hygiene, including proper order closure, material consumption, and master data maintenance to support reliable planning and reporting.
• Lead planning-related process improvements and support Industrial Excellence initiatives, identifying optimization opportunities and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Represent the planning function in new RSU implementation projects, ensuring that planning requirements are captured, systems and processes are tested, and smooth integration into daily operations is achieved.
• Conduct data analysis and performance tracking, providing insights, visualizations, and impact assessments to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Act as the key link between Planning and Manufacturing, ensuring alignment, communication, and proactive issue resolution to deliver customer orders within expected lead times.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, and MRP/ERP operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDE) and advanced proficiency in Excel (e.g., PivotTables, VLOOKUPs, Power BI preferred).
• Demonstrated experience managing master production plans, material requirements, and inventory levels (including safety stock and buffer management) to balance service and cost.
• Experience in scheduling production orders, monitoring shop floor execution, and driving corrective actions when schedules deviate.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills, including the ability to create and present impact analyses and performance dashboards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with Manufacturing, Demand/DRP Planners, Procurement, and Customer Service teams.
• Ability to operate autonomously, proactively identify issues and improvement opportunities, and coordinate cross-functional initiatives (including project implementation).
• Proven track record of applying continuous improvement principles (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) and contributing to planning-related process enhancements.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Annual bonus target of 4%, based on individual and company performance
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Generous vacation, personal, and holiday pay
• Paid Parental leave
• Hybrid work for most exempt roles
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career growth opportunities
• Employee referral bonus

Pay

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $76,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and this range may be modified in the future.