Get to know East Penn!
Navitas Systems LLC, a leader in comprehensive energy storage solutions, was formed in 2011 with the merger of MicroSun Innovative Energy Storage Solutions and MicroSun Electronics, and the acquisition of lithium battery company A123 Systems' Government Solutions Group. In 2019, East Penn Manufacturing, one of the world's leading battery manufacturers, acquired majority interest in Navitas Systems. In SEVEN remarkable decades, East Penn has grown from a one-room shop with a product line of five automotive batteries to one of the world's leading battery manufacturers with over 10,500 full-time employees, 515 product designs, operations around the world, and hundreds of awards for industry excellence.
At our Navitas facilities we engage in the research, design, development, and manufacture of advanced lithium cells and energy storage products and systems for both commercial customers and U.S. Government/military customers. We invest in our people, they are and always will be the heart of this company. Are you ready to join a family-owned enterprise committed to honoring the contributions of everyone? Then Navitas is the right place for you.
Overview
Navitas is ready to invest in you! We are seeking a Capacity Planner/Master Scheduler in Ann Arbor, Michigan to optimize our planning and scheduling operations. As a Capacity Planner / Master Scheduler, you will play a crucial role in optimizing our production schedules and ensuring our manufacturing operations align with customer demand and capacity constraints. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain, to develop and manage comprehensive production schedules, analyze capacity requirements, and support the strategic planning of our growth initiatives.
This is an on-site role in which you will engage directly with the production floor, engineering teams, and leadership. You will be responsible for balancing production timelines, resource allocation, and inventory levels while keeping a keen eye on evolving production constraints, emerging technologies, and market demand shifts.
Responsibilities
Capacity Planning & Scheduling:
Develop, implement, and maintain detailed production schedules that meet customer demand while optimizing available capacity.
Help develop, set-up and implement shop floor control process
Understand how to set up work centers to manage labor hours, run time, queue time and maximize capacity
Analyze production capacity, forecast demand, and develop plans to optimize resource allocation, machine utilization, and workforce scheduling.
Monitor and adjust schedules based on demand fluctuations, material availability, production constraints, and any unplanned disruptions.
Work with engineering, production, and logistics teams to prioritize production timelines for new product introductions (NPIs) and ramp-ups.
Supply Chain Coordination:
Collaborate with the supply chain team to ensure the timely delivery of raw materials and components to meet production schedules.
Analyze inventory levels and adjust production plans to ensure proper inventory management and minimize stockouts or overproduction.
Address capacity bottlenecks by analyzing historical trends, machine utilization, and labor requirements.
Demand Forecasting:
Provide data-driven insights into capacity planning, ensuring we are prepared for fluctuating demand patterns and peak periods.
Play an instrumental part in establishing and developing SIOP process
Work closely with sales and marketing teams to align production schedules with customer forecasts, market trends, and product launches.
Continuous Improvement:
Identify and implement continuous improvements to the scheduling process, enhancing efficiency and reducing lead times.
Track key performance metrics (KPIs) related to capacity, production lead time, on-time delivery, and inventory turnover.
Participate in the ongoing optimization of Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
Cross-functional Collaboration:
Act as a liaison between production, engineering, logistics, and planning teams to communicate and resolve any scheduling conflicts.
Lead or participate in regular planning meetings to review scheduling performance, future production capacity, and product demand shifts.
Reporting & Analysis:
Prepare regular reports and analyses related to capacity, production schedules, and any issues that impact timely delivery.
Present findings to senior management and other relevant stakeholders, including proposed solutions for identified challenges.
Follow all safety guidelines and operate in a safe manner
Physical presence on the job is essential and necessary
Other duties as assigned by management
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
5+ years of experience in capacity planning, master scheduling, or production planning, preferably in a manufacturing environment (automotive, electronics, or energy sectors are a plus).
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
Professional certifications (e.g., APICS CPIM, CSCP) are a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Proficiency in capacity planning software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.), and Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) tools.
Strong understanding of production scheduling techniques, demand forecasting, and inventory management.
Data-driven approach with advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyze and interpret complex data sets.
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and Continuous Improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.).
Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to address capacity constraints and production bottlenecks.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) the individual must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
East Penn Benefits
Navitas/East Penn offers excellent benefits:
Competitive compensation
Group health insurance that includes high quality medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage with a low employee premium
Retirement Savings Plan with company match and a 3% employer contribution
Paid company holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
Employee assistance program
Fitness Discounts
Promotional opportunities
At Navitas/East Penn, our employees are our culture; our employees will always be the heart of the company. We are a private, family-owned enterprise committed to cultivating an atmosphere that honors the contributions of everyone. We want our employees to have long-term careers, and many do. More than 38% of our workforce has over a decade of service. Our open-door management policy, comprehensive benefits package, employee appreciation and recognition events, and career advancement opportunities are just some of the ways we show our employees how incredibly valued they are.
EOE/VEVRAA
