Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

The Work

Production planners make sure that products are produced on time at the lowest cost, for delivery to customers. They carefully work out the best way to use resources, such as staff and materials. Using this information, planners plot out the production schedule in detail using flow charts. They need to have a clear understanding of what it is the customer wants and needs.  
 
The production planner shows the production schedule to the buyers, the plant manager, the personnel manager and the production manager for them to comment on. Once agreed, appropriate sections of the plans and schedules will also go to supervisors of the production departments involved.  
 
Where a company has to compete with other companies to win contracts for more work, the production planner has a central role. The planner draws up production plans working from information provided by designers, draughtspersons, architects and engineers. These people provide a list of materials and parts with their drawings and specifications. Other information providers include sales managers and production controllers. They need to be able to deal with situations like staff shortages or machine breakdowns.  
 
The plans are sent to an estimator who will put a cost to the plans before submitting them. If the company is awarded the contract, the planners may need to revise schedules to take account of design changes and delays. In a factory with a production line planning is an ongoing process.  
 
Production planners are usually based in an office in the planning department.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Distribute production schedules or work orders to departments.
• Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities.
• Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands.
• Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of supplies or parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules.
• Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes.
• Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering.
• Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays.
• Examine documents, materials, or products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy, and conformance to standards and specifications.
• Record production data, including volume produced, consumption of raw materials, or quality control measures.
• Calculate figures, such as required amounts of labor or materials, manufacturing costs, or wages, using pricing schedules, adding machines, calculators, or computers.

Further Information

• Production Planner - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Production Planner - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Plans and prepares the details and resources required for the efficient running of a production process in a manufacturing company. The most usual route is via a diploma or a degree in a relevant subject such as engineering, construction or chemistry. Occasionally, it may be possible to enter as a technician or be trained and promoted from craft level work.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship Engineering Operations & Manufacturing, Manufacturing Technician Maintenance Skills Technology, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Life Sciences Manufacturing Operations, Quality Management (Quality Assurance), Cleanroom manufacturing, Supervisory Management Leadership NFQ level 5 search FET courses

FET Centre Post leaving cert courses Engineering & manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations, Furniture Design & Manufacture, Product Design and Manufacture, Renewable and Engineering Technology, Pre-University Engineering, Engineering Technology, OEM Engineering courses at NFQ level 5 search FET PLC courses

Apprenticeship Manufacturing Technician, Lean Sigma Manager, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Data Integration Engineer, Precision Turned Parts Manufacturing, Wood Manufacturer / Finisher, Principal Engineer Apprenticeship at NFQ level 6-10 search apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO entry  General engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Design, Engineering (Common entry), Furniture Design and Manufacture Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production, Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing, Product Design and Technology, Precision Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering NFQ level 6-8 Search CAO Courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate study options Fundamentals of Food Production Management, Engineering Management, Engineering - Automotive Manufacturing, Management at NFQ level 9

Engineering Ireland

Manufacturing skillnets

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €88k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Excel/ Azon/ Lincoln/ Clark/ Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment numbers in this occupation have grown strongly since 2020, with an additional 8,300 persons employed. Employment permits were issued across a number of managerial roles in manufacturing.

Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills data point to issues in sourcing production managers, often with mechanical engineering, GMP, health & safety, and project management (including Lean processes) skills. Issues in relation to sourcing candidates with specific skills sets and industry experience have been identified and may result in future shortages if employment continues to rise.

• Skillsnets manufacturing Sector

  • 5th Floor, Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland, D18 E268
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• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
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• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
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