Job Description
The Production Planning Manager oversees inventory levels to maximize customer service at SanMar, managing a team of planners and developing strategies for order placement. Apparel businesses rely on accurate forecasting and vendor partnerships, ensuring products reach customers on time and reducing stockouts. This position leads production efficiencies across styles, directly impacting revenue by optimizing supply chain dynamics.
SanMar specializes in apparel and promotional products, equipping organizations with merchandise for branding. The company employs over 50 production planners across teams, focusing on multi-channel distribution. Their operations include global vendor collaboration and IT reporting systems.
Typical work includes training planners on Excel metrics, approving monthly orders based on vendor capacities, and communicating projections for future inventory. Employees execute programs using IT reporting tools, collaborating with merchandising and development teams to align trends. Interactions occur with vendors through buying strategies, product development leads, and warehouse personnel. A challenge involves anticipating sales trends in a dynamic market, requiring quick adaptations to changing priorities and maintenance of confidentiality under pressure.
Salary ranges from $105,000 to $150,000 annually, eligible for a discretionary bonus up to 15% of base salary. Paid time off accrues bi-weekly up to 152 hours yearly, plus 8 holidays and one family day. Benefits encompass medical, dental, vision, 401k matching 1-for-1 up to 4%, life insurance, disability, and paid leaves. Pet insurance is provided, with professional growth through strategic planning training in a hybrid setup near Issaquah, WA, with weeks requiring Tuesday through Thursday in-office presence.
Responsibilities
- Train and develop team of Production Planners
- Approve monthly order placement
- Manage and execute future order projections
- Develop strategies for product flexibility
- Proactively chase products to ensure service levels
- Identify buying strategy opportunities
- Communicate unified directions to team
- Work with Merchandising and Development
- Provide inventory depth recommendations
- Execute new Reporting programs
- Comply with policies
- Perform other assigned duties
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
- 7-9 years experience in apparel planning
- Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills
- Strong financial and analytical background
- Detail oriented with organizational skills
- Problem solving and time management
- Confidentiality maintenance
- Oral and written communication skills
- Creative problem solving and negotiation
- Supply chain dynamics understanding
- Flexible with adaptability
- Pressure work capability
- Self-motivated
- Responsive to staff needs
- Respectful team demeanor
- Motivate others