Production Planner & Inventory Controller

Description

Company Overview

Kira Labs was founded in 2003 with a debut line of highly effective skin care products including natural cleansers, glycolic peels and hyaluronic and squalene moisturizers. Our success is driven by appealing design, value, and high quality, functional formulas that characterize all our brands. Over the past 15 years our happy and repeat customers have helped grow Kira Labs into a leading marketer and manufacturer of beauty innovations featured in 10,000+ stores. Our reach is global, and in 2017 we received the Florida Exporter of the Year Award. Today you can find our products on store shelves selling in over 100 countries with product lines for men and women, salons, spas and medical professionals. All of our formulas are made in-house by our expert chemists and bottled and distributed from our own facility.

General Summary

The Production Planner & Inventory Controller is responsible for creating and maintaining production schedules to meet customer demand, optimize manufacturing efficiency, and minimize costs. This role also oversees inventory management to ensure the accurate and timely supply of materials, maintaining optimal stock levels to support production without overstocking.

Primary / Key Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Production Planning:

Develop and maintain a detailed production schedule, aligning with sales forecasts, sales orders, production capacity, and customer delivery requirements.

Coordinate with production, procurement, and sales teams to ensure alignment on production priorities and timelines.

Monitor production progress and adjust schedules as necessary to accommodate changes in demand or production capacity.

Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in production and implement solutions to minimize downtime.

Communicate schedule changes and updates to all relevant departments.

Component & Raw Material Inventory Management:

Oversee and manage inventory levels, ensuring sufficient stock is available to meet production needs without excessive overstock.

Implement and maintain an inventory control system to track and manage components & raw materials 

Coordinate with procurement to reorder materials as needed, based on forecasted demand and inventory levels.

Analyze inventory data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for cost savings.

Monitor and evaluate storage allocation to ensure optimal use of space, considering volume, SKU dimensions, and operational workflow with the aim to maximize efficiency and optimize storage capacity

Regularly review inventory to identify and address issues related to overstock/excess or slow-moving components

Implement and maintain effective procedures for recording and tracking inventory movements, ensuring data integrity and minimizing discrepancies.

Conduct regular inventory audits to ensure accuracy and integrity of inventory records.

Train and supervise staff in proper recording and handling procedures to uphold accuracy and accountability in inventory management

Establish and oversee systems for recording, categorizing, and reporting waste generated within the warehouse operations

Coordination & Communication:

Act as a liaison between production, procurement, and sales teams to ensure clear communication and alignment on production schedules and inventory needs.

Prepare and present regular reports on production status, inventory levels, and any issues impacting the production process.

Collaborate with the quality control team to ensure materials and finished products meet the required standards before production and distribution.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities for process improvements in production scheduling and inventory management.

Implement best practices and lean manufacturing principles to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

Stay updated on industry trends and technologies to recommend new tools or methods for improved production and inventory management.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability, encouraging staff to contribute to waste reduction initiatives

Requirements

Education and/or Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

3-5 years of experience in production scheduling, inventory management, or a similar role within a manufacturing environment.

Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration across departments.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to handle multiple priorities. 

Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Excellent time management and prioritizing skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines.

Proactive and resourceful mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs and solve problems independently.

Proven experience in production scheduling or planning in a manufacturing or similar environment.

Proven experience in inventory control or a related field.

Strong understanding of supply chain processes, inventory management, and production workflows.

Proficiency in scheduling and inventory software systems.

Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.

Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.

Ability to handle physical tasks (e.g., lifting, organizing stock).

Management / Supervisory Authority

This position will supervise others 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; walk. The employee must frequently sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is exposed to inside weather conditions, moderate noise, and vibrations. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodation as determined on a case-by-case basis.