Planners may work with the sales, cost accounting, and purchasing and manufacturing department staffs to develop sales forecasts, which are used to estimate how many items must be manufactured. Planners forecast production for the entire business units, specific programs or jobs, and for each department from the sales forecasts. After sales and production are predicted, Planners draw up master schedules that establish time limits and sequences of manufacturing operations. Next, they determine how, where, and at what cost the product is to be made. Planners then write detailed instructions showing specific operations, where they will be performed, what tools, materials and equipment will be used, and how many workers will be needed.
Planners check for planning errors during production and recommend corrective action.
Planners may also prepare purchase orders. Some employers require Planners to maintain inventories of raw materials and finished products. Planners may reschedule operations to process rush orders or to meet customer needs. Production Planners often represent the company in negotiations with customers. Planners must account for any delays, difficulties, and changes in original cost estimates.