Jobs › Apogee Enterprises

Production Planner II

Apogee Enterprises · Wausau, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Apogee Enterprises

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found an error in a project after it was already released. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Honesty and speed in correcting upstream mistakes before they become scrapped parts or missed ship dates.

You work with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, Production, Purchasing and vendors. How do you keep everyone working from the same information?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate proactively across functions instead of letting each group work from a different version.

Tell me about a vendor who kept missing dates. What did you do about it?

What they are checking: How they hold suppliers accountable and escalate, rather than just absorbing late deliveries into the schedule.

What would you do

Glass for a project is delayed two weeks and the production schedule is set. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they work the problem with vendors, project management and production to re-sequence, and communicate early.

Production says your schedule is impossible this week. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they listen to real capacity constraints and adjust, while still protecting customer commitments.

About the work

Walk me through how you validate a new project before it's released: scope, pricing, vendor quotes, glass requirements and routing.

What they are checking: Whether they catch missing or wrong information before it reaches the floor, which is the main way planners prevent rework.

The posting mentions running CTO planning reports and optimizing extrusion usage in Cut Planner. How would you think about reducing waste when cutting extrusions?

What they are checking: Understanding of nesting cuts against stock lengths and why scrap aluminum on every job adds up to real money.

What's your experience releasing BOMs and maintaining jobs in an ERP like Epicor?

What they are checking: Comfort with BOM accuracy and ERP job updates, since bad system data quietly breaks purchasing and scheduling.

How do you decide what material to buy and when, so it's there for production without tying up cash in inventory?

What they are checking: Grasp of lead times, purchasing requirements and timing, the balance at the heart of material planning.

How do finishing triggers fit into the schedule for a painted or anodized order?

What they are checking: Awareness that finishing is its own constraint and that aligning it with fabrication keeps jobs from waiting.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Apogee Enterprises from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Apogee Enterprises.

Apogee Architectural Metals Position Summary The Production Planner II is responsible for coordinating project planning, material procurement, production scheduling, and ERP system maintenance to support manufacturing and project execution. This role works closely with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, Production, Vendors, and Purchasing to ensure projects are accurately planned, materials are ordered and delivered on time, and system data is maintained throughout the project lifecycle. Key Responsibilities Project Review & Validation • Review and validate project scope, pricing, vendor quotes, glass requirements, routing, and material locations. • Identify, resolve, and communicate missing or incorrect project information to ensure production readiness. Material Planning & Preparation • Run CTO planning reports and optimize extrusion usage through Cut Planner to minimize waste. • Determine purchasing requirements and ensure all required materials are available to support production schedules. System & BOM Management • Release Bills of Material (BOMs) to Epicor and maintain accurate job updates. • Align production schedules, finishing triggers, pricing, and supplier information within CTO and Epicor systems. Purchasing & Vendor Coordination • Generate and manage purchase orders (POs) for required materials and services. • Coordinate with vendors by sending documentation, tracking acknowledgments, resolving delays or discrepancies, and maintaining ongoing communication. Production Coordination & Project Completion • Coordinate material flow, scheduling, and production activities to support on-time project completion. • Process engineering revisions and manage exceptions including DMRs and special orders. • Communicate project status updates, resolve production issues, and close out projects upon completion. Communication & Coordination • Collaborates closely with the Master Scheduler, Project Management, Planning, Engineering, and Purchasing teams to ensure project milestones are achieved on schedule and to proactively resolve constraints impacting customer delivery. • Maintains frequent communication with internal stakeholders to manage scheduling changes, address issues arising after initial planning, and support overall production flow. • Provides timely and accurate updates to the Master Scheduler and Planning Supervisor regarding constraints or risks that may affect the production schedule. • Partners with the Master Scheduler throughout the planning process to ensure critical information is shared and timelines are adjusted as needed. • Coordinates and delivers detailed planning information to the Purchasing team following order planning activities. Process Optimization • Takes an active role in departmental and company-wide continuous improvement initiatives, including Metals-specific projects, to enhance operational efficiency and workflow performance. • Maintains a strong working knowledge of all production and order fulfillment processes, from order entry through shipping. • Supports the Production Scheduling team with daily operational activities, process improvement initiatives, cross-functional projects, and special assignments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Advanced technical proficiency with ERP systems, including SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft, with preferred experience in Epicor, as well as advanced skills in data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel. • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proven capacity to interpret complex operational data, identify root causes of production delays, and resolve scheduling conflicts efficiently. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally, negotiate priorities among departments, and effectively manage stakeholder expectations. • Comprehensive knowledge of supply chain operations, including lean manufacturing principles, inventory management, logistics coordination, and demand forecasting methodologies. • Proficient in inventory management systems and data-driven decision-making tools to support operational efficiency and inventory accuracy. • Highly organized with strong multitasking capabilities and the ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments. Education & Experience Education: • High school diploma or equivalent required • Associate degree preferred • APICS CPIM certification preferred Experience: • 3–5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment required • 1–3 years of scheduling or production planning experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience • Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365, is preferred Work Environment/Travel Requirements Primarily office-based with occasional visits to the manufacturing floor. Proper PPE is required when on the manufacturing floor. This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Our Benefits We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team. • Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability) • Incentive Plans • 401(k) with employer contribution and match • Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match • Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement Program • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Wellness Program • Training and Career Progression Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply at Apogee Enterprises

More production planner roles