Project Planner

Overview

The Project Planner role is integral within the supply chain to ensure timely delivery of products. The individual will manage material and information flow to support manufacturing, maintaining predictable delivery schedules and seamless logistics in and out of SGD. Coordinating with multiple stakeholders is essential to address challenges and identify improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison to the PMO office, managing single or multiple customer orders based on workload.
• Oversee repair planning, execution, and coordination for specified products.
• Provide recommendations for managing Turn-Around Time (TAT) on repairs, including financial and resource assessments aligned with a 90-day TAT goal.
• Operate in accordance with Statements of Work (SOW), balancing requirements, time, cost, and performance priorities under delegated authority.
• Assist procurement by delivering project/prospect buying forecasts within assigned areas.
• Aggregate all relevant data to maintain visible plans ensuring production order fulfillment involving multiple components such as LRUs, SRUs, software, test equipment, and resources.
• Monitor project demands, including associated stock movements.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings as necessary to ensure timely delivery updates and information exchange.
• Collaborate with Finance and stakeholders to place Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and parts on customer orders.
• Lead kickoff meetings for Project Work Orders (PWO), Discrepancy Work Orders (DWO), and Repair Work Orders (RWO), managing meeting minutes and tracking actions affecting deliveries, escalating issues beyond scope to respective line managers.
• Incorporate considerations for yield, scrap, rework, warranty repairs into production and prototype planning, ensuring accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) and customer order data.
• Coordinate with legal and export control teams on logistics documentation such as air waybills, import/export licenses, and end-user certificates.
• Report to Project Manager, Contract Owner, or Capex responsible and align with annual budgeting.
• Maintain communication across all supply chain disciplines to meet milestones.
• Manage prioritization across customer projects with project and production planning teams; escalate to PMO if delivery targets are at risk.
• Coordinate production planners for reserving and un-reserving LRUs on projects and orders.
• Track changes in configurations and communicate updates to production planners.
• Oversee the full supply chain delivery process, acting proactively and proposing organizational improvements.
• Participate in Work Breakdown, bidding, and costing processes to support delivery success and share insights.
• Plan and initiate orders for Long Lead Items (LLI) with production planning to meet demand.
• Provide Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) forecasts to the S&OP Manager.
• Maintain inventory of job materials, consumables, and floor stock.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Proficiency with ERP, MRP, and PDM systems.
• Solid understanding of production planning, Master Production Schedule (MPS), and impact on Material Requirements Planning and material planners.
• Familiarity with contractual material liability agreements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Supply Chain processes and implications of schedule modifications.
• Advanced skills in spreadsheet software.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication abilities for interacting across management levels.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with complex planning, forecasting, and product lifecycle management.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and Supply Chain Management principles.
• Ability to apply Supply Chain and inventory management concepts effectively.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Robust project management capabilities.
• Knowledge of process flow, manufacturing, and materials flow.
• Capability to perform well under pressure.
• Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work professionally within a team-oriented environment despite shifting deadlines and priorities.
• Strong team player adept at cross-functional collaboration.
• Influence teams and programs to enhance quality, productivity, and customer service.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills with decision-influencing capacity.
• Alignment with company values: Drive, Trust, Expertise, and Dedication.

Educational Requirements

A relevant tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Production Planning, or an equivalent APICS certification combined with Supply Chain experience is required.

Company Background

SGD is a prominent South African defence and security enterprise delivering advanced electronic warfare systems, sensor technologies, training systems, avionics, security, and support solutions for air, land, sea, and civil security sectors across Africa and globally. The company enhances national defence capabilities through innovative products and contributes insights on evolving security threats to develop tailored market solutions.

SGD fosters a supportive environment valuing diversity and aims to develop talent in a challenging and collaborative atmosphere. Preference will be given to South African citizens, welcoming applications from individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds.

Additional Information

Please note that if candidates do not receive feedback within 30 days post closing date, their applications may be considered unsuccessful.