Production Planning Supervisor

Location: Santa Barbara, CA

About the Role

A leading manufacturer known for precision-engineered products and operational excellence is seeking a Production Planning Supervisor to lead a team of buyer/planners in a dynamic, demand-driven production environment. This critical leadership role is instrumental in driving performance across procurement planning, inventory control, and supply chain optimization. The position is designed for a process-minded professional who thrives in an environment focused on data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and collaborative success.

This is a pivotal time to join the team, as the organization has restructured its supply chain functions to better align buying and planning operations. The successful candidate will help guide this evolution, building upon well-established procurement frameworks while advancing planning sophistication and team capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Supervision

  • Direct day-to-day activities of a team of Buyer/Planners ensuring timely procurement and material readiness.
  • Mentor and train team members, ensuring clarity in roles, expectations, and development goals.
  • Manage performance, resolve conflicts, and maintain a high standard of accountability and communication.
  • Act as liaison between supply chain leadership and planning staff, supporting strategic alignment and clear reporting.

Procurement & Supplier Engagement

  • Manage sourcing and purchasing operations to align with production timelines, creating purchase orders according to demand projections and supplier delivery schedules.
  • Build and maintain strong vendor relationships with a focus on timely delivery, service quality, and cost control.
  • Monitor supplier performance and provide corrective feedback as needed to uphold operational standards.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify alternate sourcing and cost-saving opportunities.

Material Planning & Inventory Optimization

  • Create and manage material requirement plans to meet production targets and customer commitments.
  • Update and manage inventory planning data within the ERP system, setting optimal buffer stock quantities to ensure reliable supply chain execution.
  • Balance demand fluctuations with inventory availability while achieving 95%+ on-time delivery targets.
  • Work closely with production, shipping, and receiving to ensure material readiness aligns with output goals.

Operational Excellence & Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives in planning and procurement processes.
  • Provide data-driven insights and reporting to leadership for planning efficiency and supply chain performance.
  • Implement best practices to enhance forecast accuracy, reduce material costs, and streamline lead times.
  • Stay current on market trends and new technologies in supply chain and planning.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of planning and procurement experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
  • Proven leadership or supervisory experience in a supply chain or planning-focused role.
  • Proficient in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and material requirements planning (MRP) systems, with experience in platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or comparable solutions.
  • Analytical mindset with strong Excel/data analysis capabilities and the ability to make informed decisions quickly.
  • Familiarity with lean production principles or ongoing process improvement methodologies is highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary with weekly bonus potential tied to revenue metrics.
  • Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and more.
  • Standard workweek: Monday to Friday, with occasional extended hours required to meet business needs.

Location & Culture

Located just south of Santa Barbara, CA, the facility offers an incredible coastal lifestyle combined with the opportunity to join a forward-thinking manufacturing organization. Enjoy a strong company culture rooted in accountability, innovation, and mutual respect, with access to outdoor activities and a balanced work-life dynamic.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS

Location
Santa Barbara CA