Factory Planner (Lubricants Manufacturing)

Job Purpose

The Factory Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining feasible production plans and schedules in a high-mix, low-volume lubricants manufacturing environment. This role ensures optimal utilization of blending, filling, and packaging resources while meeting customer demand, minimizing changeovers, and maintaining inventory targets.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop detailed daily/weekly production plans for blending, filling, and packaging operations.

• Sequence production to optimize capacity utilization and minimize changeover time (e.g., product category/grade and packaging size).

• Balance demand priorities, production constraints, and inventory levels.

• Monitor plan adherence and adjust schedules based on real-time factory conditions.

Demand & Order Management

• Translate sales forecasts and confirmed orders into achievable production plans.

• Coordinate with Sales/Customer Service to manage order changes and delivery commitments.

Inventory & Materials Planning

• Ensure availability of base oils, additives, packaging materials, and labels.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels to avoid stockouts and excesses.

• Work with procurement and warehouse teams to align material supply with production schedules.

Capacity & Resource Planning

• Analyse plant capacity (blending tanks, filling lines, manpower).

• Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to improve throughput.

• Provide input for overtime planning or rescheduling decisions.

Master Data & Systems Management

• Maintain accurate master data (BOMs, routings, lead times, batch sizes).

• Use ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) to generate and track plans.

• Ensure system data reflects actual operations for planning accuracy.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in:

  • Production efficiency

  • Schedule adherence

  • Changeover reduction

  • Inventory turns

Coordination & Communication

• Act as the key interface between:

  • Production

  • Procurement

  • Sales/Customer Service

  • Quality and Logistics

• Lead daily/weekly planning meetings to align stakeholders.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time-in-full (OTIF) delivery performance

• Production plan adherence

• Inventory accuracy and turnover

• Changeover time reduction

• Capacity utilization

• Backlog and lead time performance

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in production planning, preferably in:

  • Lubricants

  • Chemicals

  • FMCG or batch processing industries

• Experience in high-mix, low-volume environments is highly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:

  • Production planning and scheduling

  • MRP/ERP systems

  • Inventory management

• Understanding of lubricants blending and filling processes is an advantage.

• Proficiency in Excel (advanced level preferred).

Core Competencies

• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong planning and organizational ability

• Ability to handle complexity and frequent changes

• Attention to detail and data accuracy

• Effective communication and stakeholder management

• Decision-making under pressure

Working Environment

• Manufacturing plant (lubricants blending and filling operations)

• Fast-paced, dynamic, and planning-intensive environment

• Requires close coordination with operations floor teams

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Supply Chain Manager

• Interfaces with: Production, Procurement, Sales, Warehouse, Quality