How to Write a Production Planner Resume (With a Template)

Updated 6 May 2023

Production planners develop schedules to ensure manufacturing sites have enough materials and funds to meet deadlines. As assembly planning is meticulous, employers may want evidence that candidates have adequate organisational skills and understanding of the manufacturing process before offering them the job. Resumes are usually your first chance to show you have the skills to succeed in this role, so reviewing core steps can help you develop a concise resume that targets employers' needs. In this article, we offer suggestions on writing a production planner resume, provide a template for experienced candidates and share an example.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

How to write a production planner resume

A production planner resume may focus on related experience, soft skills to help with organisation and planning and technical skills that highlight industry knowledge and manufacturing processes. Here are six steps in writing a resume for production planning roles:

1. Add a resume header

Add a resume header comprising your full name and highest credential along the top line and your contact telephone number, professional email address and residential location beneath. Use bold font to make your name and qualification title prominent and enable employers to register your identity. Employers may want to know where you live, as they may want you to operate on-site, meet with collaborators, liaise with managers and implement plans. You can omit your full address from your resume, as employers may ask for this at a later stage.

2. Summarise your professional attributes

Summarise your core strengths and achievements in a professional summary below your header. Think about targeting key details based on the role's requirements rather than mentioning desirable generalities. Use the first sentence to state your strongest technical skills, such as statistics and mathematics, and clarify how much experience you have in production planning. Then, mention the technical resources you use, especially if they match the employer's systems, such as capacity applications and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Consider adding a third sentence if you have achievements or awards that may distinguish your resume from others.

3. Describe previous jobs that are related to production planning

Employers may seek candidates with years of experience in production planning, manufacturing management or supply chain analysis. If you've only had one professional role in this form of planning, you might also detail any internships or fixed-term placements you've performed. Add the job title and dates of employment in bold on one line and the company name and location below it to show your experience working with reputable establishments.

Below, add three to five bullet points outlining your primary duties, prioritising those that match the responsibilities of the position on offer. Consider specifying your former working environment, such as automotive manufacturing, to show you're comfortable in this environment. Next, list some key performance indicators with metrics confirming how you met them. For instance, if you developed a budgeting report, it may be prudent to state the percentage of funds you saved your employer. You might also mention your attainment of key production goals and your achievement of time efficiencies.

4. List hard and soft production planning skills

Production planning involves effective design and scheduling to ensure manufacturing processes operate efficiently. In this role, try to focus on soft skills that support precision, time management and organisation. Meanwhile, verbal and written communication show you can work with collaborators, suppliers and department managers to implement changes to key processes. Next, endeavour to display your hard skills to show how to handle the role's responsibilities. Here are some hard skills you might wish to focus on:

computer literacy
material requirements planning (MRP) system proficiency
supply chain management
inventory control
data analysis
logistics.

5. Include your qualifications and certifications

Employers typically look for production planners with at least a bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant field. If you have one, try adding other degrees in business management, supply chain management or operations management, as these qualifications indicate your technical prowess. State your full qualification title and the name of the university from which you graduated.

Below your tertiary education, consider naming any certificates that strengthen your application. For instance, the Certified in Product Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) credentials might enhance your resume. You may also use the certification section to mention any memberships to relevant bodies, such as the Australasian Supply Chain Institute.

6. Proofread the document thoroughly

Proofread your resume thoroughly after writing it to help you view it objectively. You're more likely to pick up spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or formatting discrepancies after spending some time away from the document. As many employers value attention to detail and accuracy, they may appreciate your error-free resume.

Resume template for production planners

Here's a resume template that can help you display your strengths, personal attributes and technical knowledge:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State or Territory]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and Major] | [Name of School or University]

Certifications (optional)
[Certification Name], [Host Organisation] – [Year completed or expiration date]

Resume example for production planners

Here's a resume example for a production planner advancing into a more senior position:

Alex Richards, Bachelor of Business (Management) +61 3 9555 5555 | alex.richards@email.com | Port Douglas, Queensland

Professional Summary
Meticulous production planner with four years of experience in water vessel manufacturing, possessing strong data analysis, project management and inventory control skills. Proficient with advanced ERP systems to reduce waste and maximise efficiency. Won sustainability award for minimising waste and implementing greener production strategies.

Experience

Production Planner | January 2020–Current
Shore Headworks | Port Douglas, Queensland

manage and analyse inventory statistics to forecast demand for the next six months
implement resource management strategies to reduce waste by 60%
use material requirement planning systems to develop long-term budgeting strategies, which have collectively saved the business $400,000 in resource costs over three years
set manufacturing deadlines and track planning, design, production, quality assurance and release phases using spreadsheet software
meet with suppliers, collaborators, change managers and department managers to analyse processes, implement changes and report on progress

Production Planner Intern | February 2019–January 2020
Build to Synergise | Cairns, Queensland

used SAP ERP systems to process time and resources data to complete each phase of the manufacturing process
generated reports on inventory levels and worked closely with a certified production planner to develop annual predictions on the materials the company required
suggested improvements to the quality assurance protocols by eliminating redundant tests and implementing new processes, increasing efficiency by 30%

Education
Bachelor of Business (Management) | Cains Wave University

Certifications
Certificate in Production and Inventory Management, Manufacturers Institute – 2018