Production Planner

Role overview

A pharmaceutical manufacturing business in Ballito is seeking a Production Scheduler/Planner to help keep factory operations running smoothly. The position combines production reporting, workforce scheduling, administrative support, and coordination across multiple departments.

Production data and reporting

• Collect and update daily production information for all manufacturing lines.
• Log output figures, efficiency levels, downtime incidents, scrap or waste, and other essential production metrics.
• Compile daily summaries for management review.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on production volumes.
• Monitor actual performance against planned targets.
• Create dashboards and KPI reports for the Factory Manager and senior leadership.
• Maintain reliable, accurate production records and database information.

Factory operations support

• Provide administrative and coordination assistance to the Factory Manager.
• Help track production schedules and manufacturing priorities.
• Act as a link between Production, Planning, Procurement, Quality, and Warehouse teams.
• Support production meetings by preparing reports, minutes, and follow-up action lists.
• Track outstanding production-related actions and keep stakeholders updated on progress.

Workforce planning and shift coordination

• Maintain staff shift rosters for the manufacturing team.
• Manage shift changes and share updates with the relevant departments.
• Support labour planning by monitoring workforce availability.
• Assist with overtime planning and staff allocation.
• Watch for staffing gaps or scheduling issues and escalate them when needed.

HR and employee communication

• Serve as the main administrative contact between Human Resources and manufacturing staff.
• Distribute HR messages and updates to factory employees.

Production planning support

• Support planning activities by gathering operational data and forecasts shared by Supply Chain and Sales teams.
• Contribute to production meetings with planning updates and scheduling information.
• Track progress against production plans and flag variances.
• Communicate schedule changes to impacted teams.

Administrative duties

• Prepare presentations, spreadsheets, reports, and management summaries.
• Handle sensitive employee and operational information with confidentiality.
• Support continuous improvement efforts through accurate data collection and reporting.

Key performance indicators

• Accuracy and punctuality of production reporting.
• Completion of weekly production volume reports.
• Correctness of shift schedules and effectiveness of communication.
• Integrity and compliance of production records.
• Timely circulation of HR communications.
• Level of satisfaction of the Factory Manager with administrative support.
• Delivery of operational reports within agreed timelines.

Requirements

• Between 2 and 5 years of experience in manufacturing, production administration, operations support, or factory administration.
• Strong Microsoft Excel capability at an advanced level.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Solid ability to analyse data and prepare reports.
• Experience creating dashboards, performance reports, and summaries.
• Excellent eye for detail.
• Well-developed organisational and planning abilities.
• Comfortable working with data and drawing insights from it.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with good people skills.
• Able to handle several priorities in a busy manufacturing environment.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Problem-solving approach with a focus on ongoing improvement.

Additional information

Applicants confirm that, by submitting an application, they acknowledge and accept the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) disclaimer. Personal information will be processed for recruitment purposes and protected using reasonable measures in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act 4 of 2013.