General Description of Role          

The Production & Inventory Control Manager will play an integral role in the YJBM manufacturing operation by effectively overseeing and managing the production planning, scheduling, and inventory control activities, while leading efforts required to achieve goals and objectives for improving material availability, finished goods delivery, cost management, and process optimization. Provides leadership and direction to all Production & inventory Control associates while building a high-performance team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities        

• Responsible for achieving operational goals (safety, quality, inventory accuracy, etc.) for assigned department. This is accomplished by activities including but not limited to strategic planning, goal setting, staff development, problem solving, and maintaining effective communication with associates at all levels across the organization.
• Oversees all aspects of the development and implementation of production plans, schedules, and capacity requirements to meet customer demand and optimize production efficiency.
• Develops annual (model year) and long-term (3-year) production planning forecasts.
• Promotes ongoing collaboration with procurement and warehouse leadership to ensure timely availability of raw materials and component parts needed to support production requirements.
• Responsible for facilitating the new product introduction life cycle from new model kickoff through production to ensure a smooth and successful product launch.

• Works closely with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, and other departments to ensure that all stage gates and milestone dates are achieved.
• Ensure that P-phase meetings are planned, scheduled, and conducted according to project plan.
• Monitor product launch timelines to ensure that all deadlines are met.

• Identifies and facilitates improvements to production and inventory control processes and technology.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop effective planning methodologies and best practices.
• Provides leadership and direction to all Production Control personnel, including development of a high-performance team that is results-oriented, while encouraging and promoting a culture of continual improvement.
• Responsible for talent acquisition & development, succession planning, performance management, coaching, mentoring, and training of all Production & Inventory Control associates.
• Lead problem-solving activities related to production scheduling and inventory control, identify obstacles to achieving target conditions and implement countermeasures that will facilitate process improvement.
• Document department processes and ensure compliance to sustain ISO certification.

• Create, monitor, report, and act on department metrics to drive continual improvement throughout YJBM processes.
• Support innovation activities that promote waste reduction, efficiency improvement, and other cost reduction opportunities for improvement.

• Accountable for department expense budget control.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience / Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive production and inventory control experience with leadership responsibilities in a manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of production planning, scheduling, and inventory control processes/best practices are critical for success in this role.
• Strong practical knowledge of MRP and ERP systems (QAD or SAP preferred)
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) with ability to analyze and present metrics/KPI data.
• Excellent project management skills are critical for success in this role.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to effectively communicate across all organizational levels as well as with customers and supplier representatives.
• Must be initiative-taking and possess excellent organizational and time-management skills.