Manager, Production Planning & Service

Job DetailsJob Location: CMI Inc - Owensboro, KY 42303Education Level: 4 Year DegreeTravel Percentage: NegligibleJob Category: ManagementCMI, Inc. - designs, manufactures, and sells breath alcohol analysis equipment marketed worldwide for law enforcement and other industries. The Manager, Production Planning & Service is responsible for leading production planning, manufacturing operations, product service, inventory management, and document control to ensure the efficient delivery of high-quality products and services that meet customer expectations. This position oversees production and service supervisors while driving operational excellence through effective planning, resource management, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. Working closely with the President and leaders in Engineering, Purchasing, Quality, Finance, and Customer Service, this role develops and executes strategies that optimize production capacity, improve inventory performance, reduce costs, enhance profitability, and maintain exceptional customer satisfaction. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Production Planning & Operations Develop, maintain, and execute production schedules based on customer demand, material availability, labor capacity, equipment utilization, and delivery commitments. Balance production workloads and allocate personnel, equipment, and resources to maximize efficiency. Monitor production performance, identify constraints, and implement corrective actions to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. Coordinate manufacturing priorities with Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Customer Service. Evaluate production capacity and recommend staffing, equipment, or process improvements. Drive operational efficiency through Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure production metrics are tracked, analyzed, and communicated to leadership. Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, mentor, and develop production and service supervisors. Establish clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable for results. Support recruiting, onboarding, employee development, succession planning, and performance management. Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, communication, safety, and continuous improvement. Ensure employees have the tools, training, and resources necessary for success. Materials, Inventory & Purchasing Partner with Purchasing to establish material requirements, supplier priorities, and inventory strategies. Maintain inventory levels that support customer demand while minimizing excess inventory and carrying costs. Monitor inventory accuracy and coordinate cycle counting and inventory control activities. Resolve shortages, substitutions, supplier issues, and material discrepancies. Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage inventory, production orders, and material transactions. Quality & Continuous Improvement Partner with Engineering and Quality to ensure products meet company and customer quality standards. Verify Bills of Material (BOMs), work instructions, specifications, and controlled documents are accurate and production-ready. Lead investigations into quality concerns and implement corrective and preventive actions. Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and manufacturing process improvements. Promote Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement throughout operations. Service Operations Oversee product repair and service operations to ensure timely turnaround and customer satisfaction. Balance service workloads and prioritize customer requirements. Monitor service quality and identify recurring product issues for Engineering and Production review. Ensure service documentation and repair records remain accurate and complete. Financial & Operational Performance Develop departmental budgets, labor plans, and capital equipment recommendations. Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, labor efficiency, inventory performance, on-time delivery, quality, and cost. Identify opportunities to improve profitability through process improvements and cost reduction initiatives. Prepare operational reports and recommendations for executive leadership. Support long-range capacity planning and business growth initiatives. Safety & Regulatory Compliance Promote and maintain a safe working environment. Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, company policies, and applicable regulations. Conduct routine safety observations and address workplace hazards promptly. Encourage employee participation in safety and continuous improvement initiatives. Document Control Lead the company’s document control process for engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, procedures, and quality documents. Ensure document revisions are properly reviewed, approved, distributed, and archived. Maintain compliance with document control procedures and support internal and external audits. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises Production Supervisors, Service Supervisors, Document Control personnel, and other assigned operational staff. Responsible for employee coaching, performance evaluations, hiring recommendations, training, discipline, scheduling, and overall departmental performance. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Performance may be measured by: On-time delivery Production schedule attainment Inventory accuracy Labor efficiency Productivity Customer service turnaround time Scrap and rework reduction Quality performance Safety performance Cost reduction initiatives Employee engagement and retention Continuous improvement achievements QualificationsEducation & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Manufacturing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. Five or more years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience. Minimum three years of supervisory or management experience. Experience with production scheduling, inventory management, purchasing coordination, and ERP/MRP systems. Demonstrated success improving manufacturing efficiency, productivity, and operational performance. Preferred Experience in electronics manufacturing, medical devices, instrumentation, or other precision manufacturing environments. Experience leading both manufacturing and service operations. Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, APICS/CPIM, or similar professional certifications. Experience with ISO-based quality management systems and document control. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong leadership and employee development skills. Advanced production planning and scheduling knowledge. Excellent understanding of manufacturing operations, inventory control, purchasing, and supply chain principles. Ability to analyze operational and financial data to support decision-making. Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. Ability to interpret engineering drawings, Bills of Material, specifications, and technical documentation. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Strong proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office, and reporting software. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Benefits Benefits are available on the first day of employment. Company-sponsored life and short-term disability insurance. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Health Savings Account when paired with a high deductible medical plan. 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match of up to 4%. 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after meeting eligibility requirements. Paid time off, including Vacation, Personal or Discretionary (Sick), and ten (10) paid company holidays. Tuition reimbursement for pre-approved courses. Climate-controlled work environment. Consistent weekday schedules provide exceptional work-life balance.