Manager, Planning

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, services, and solutions for the LNG and industrial gases industry. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over $1.5 B in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkiso ACD is an engineering and manufacturing company specializing in machinery designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures as low as – 420 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of Liquid hydrogen. For over 50 years, Nikkiso ACD has specialized in centrifugal and reciprocating pumps as well as turbines for air separation. Nikkiso ACD has the most diversified product line in the industry covering nearly every application requiring pumps or turboexpanders.

This position is based at Nikkiso ACD located in Santa Ana, CA.

The Manager, Planning will oversee the creation of the master schedule and the production schedule that adheres to the company's budget and deadlines. To identify the production needs and set objectives and guidelines that would ensure achieving a smooth and efficient workflow. They must also monitor the progress of daily production operations, resolving issues when they arise. The Manager, Planning also will oversee the scheduling and movement between our Machining vendors and the warehouse.

They will work with all members of the Operations, Engineering, Quality and Procurement teams, to ensure that production is completed as efficiently as possible. Lead a team of schedulers and planners to develop systems to improve site efficiency utilizing all available resources to plan production and work schedules in line with targets and meeting customer requirements. As a management level employee, the individual in this role is responsible for always demonstrating and enforcing ACD safety standards.

• Assist engineering with correcting BOM deficiencies
• Coordinate production plans based on capacity, BOM and material readiness.
• Planning and prioritizing operations to ensure maximum performance and minimum delay
• Identify delays and accordingly adjust schedules to meet deadlines.
• Resolve production issues and escalate unresolved issues to management promptly.
• Drive continuous improvement through training and strategic planning
• Assist in employee hiring, training, performance evaluation, retention and termination activities.
• Assist in production risk assessment and mitigation activities.
• Compiling status and performance reports and submitting them to management in a timely manner.
• Promptly informing the relevant departments of changes to current production schedules.
• Ensure timely delivery of production job routers to production team
• Provide the direction and management of the operations planning team. Develop the capability and competence of the team driving high performance.
• Works with purchasing staff and other departments to maintain and/or change production/purchasing schedules to meet customer order requirements.
• Release manufacturing work orders to the warehouse for kit picking
• Interfacing with Machining vendors ensuring that they can meet timelines and ensure they have all needed documentation.
• Communicate with warehouse staff the delivery and pickup of locally machined items. Establishes and implements procurement policies and ensures staff compliance.

Experience and Education:

• Excellent knowledge of production planning and quality control principles
• Working knowledge of MS Office and ERP systems
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• 5+ years of experience in a production planning/logistics/materials handling role
• Certificates in APICS, CPSM, Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing are highly desired
• College degree, preferably B.Sc. in Business Management or related discipline. 5+ years' experience in production planning management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A minimum high school diploma or equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be accepted.

Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities
• Utilize exceptional communication skills, verbal and written
• Ability to work with all levels of staff within the organization
• Ability to be flexible to a changing environment, acknowledging urgency when necessary
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in confidential matters
• Must be an innovative self-starter and open to new ideas
• Demonstrated ability to lead changes towards continuous improvement. Lean and Six sigma experience preferred.
• Analytical skills: Collects, researches, analyzes and synthesizes complex data.
• Interpersonal/leadership skills: Builds positive team spirit, builds morale and group commitments, motivates and effectively influences the actions of others to achieve ACD goals and objectives
• Computer skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and modern ERP system applications

Work Environmental and Physical Demands:

• In order to perform the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Overtime may be necessary as the workload dictates. This may include week days, weekends, nights and/or holidays.
• Job will generally be performed in a shop environment and may require travel to a Client's office, production facility or industrial/construction job site. Conditions will vary at each location, but the conditions listed above will generally apply.

Environmental Safety Requirements

• New Employee Safety Training is required by all newly hired employees, including Safety Awareness
• All safety related training is provided and tracked by the EHS Director
• Job specific training modules deemed necessary by employee’s Manager or Director will be required of all employees on an ongoing basis

Employees are required to wear Nikkiso provided PPE as/when needed. PPE’s include, safety shoes, safety glasses, face shields, FR clothing, cryogenic gloves, cryogenic apron, cut resistant gloves, safety gloves, hearing protection, hard hats & dust masks. Failure to comply with Nikkiso ACD safety requirements will result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed above are typically acquired through the levels of education and experience listed.  An equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides an applicant with the listed knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job, may be accepted.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $120,000

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Nikkiso CE&IG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.