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Production Planner

Xylem · Pewaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 materials did not arrive on time. How did you adjust the schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they react quickly and communicate changes to everyone affected.

How do you communicate schedule changes so nobody is caught off guard?

What they are checking: Whether they keep production, purchasing and customer service informed.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a supervisor about priorities.

What they are checking: Whether they can resolve conflict with facts and keep the working relationship.

What would you do

A rush order comes in that would push other orders late. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they lay out trade-offs clearly and get the right people to decide.

Production is consistently missing the schedule. How do you find out why?

What they are checking: Whether they look at root causes like bad standards or downtime instead of blaming the floor.

About the work

Walk me through how you build a production schedule from customer orders and capacity.

What they are checking: Whether they understand loading work against real capacity instead of just order dates.

How do you do capacity planning when demand jumps unexpectedly?

What they are checking: Whether they can find constraints and propose options like overtime or resequencing.

How do you keep inventory levels balanced so you do not run short or carry too much?

What they are checking: Whether they understand safety stock, reorder points and the cost of both shortages and excess.

Which ERP or MRP systems have you used, and how much do you trust what they tell you?

What they are checking: Whether they use system data while checking it against what is really on the floor.

How do you monitor production performance during the week?

What they are checking: Whether they track progress often enough to catch slips early.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

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The full job description

As published by Xylem.

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. Job Summary: The Production Planner plays a critical role in ensuring that the organization’s production processes are efficient and effective. This position involves developing and maintaining production schedules, coordinating with various departments to ensure timely delivery of materials, and optimizing resource utilization. The Production Planner collaborates with cross functional teams to address production issues, perform capacity planning, and implement corrective actions. Additionally, this role involves monitoring production performance and making adjustments to schedules as needed. Responsibilities: Production Scheduling • Develop and maintain a production schedule based on customer orders and production capacity • Monitor production progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure timely delivery • Communicate any changes to production schedule to relevant departments and stakeholders Inventory Management • Analyze inventory levels and coordinate with purchasing department to ensure adequate materials and supplies are available for production • Implement inventory control measures to minimize waste and optimize storage space • Regularly review and update inventory records to accurately reflect stock levels Resource Coordination • Coordinate with various departments such as production, sales, and logistics to ensure smooth flow of materials and information • Schedule and monitor maintenance and repair of equipment to minimize downtime and ensure efficient production • Work with human resources to manage staffing needs and schedule training for production employees Cost Analysis • Analyze production costs and make recommendations for cost saving measures • Monitor and track production expenses to ensure budget adherence • Collaborate with accounting department to accurately track and report production expenses Quality Control • Implement quality control measures to ensure products meet company standards and customer requirements • Conduct regular inspections of production processes and finished products to identify and address any issues • Work with quality assurance team to develop and implement corrective actions when necessary Process Improvement • Continuously evaluate production processes and identify areas for improvement • Create and implement new processes or procedures to increase efficiency and productivity • Monitor and track the effectiveness of process improvements and make adjustments as needed. High Impact Behaviors: • Continuous Professional Development: Professionals should be committed to lifelong learning, seeking out opportunities for self-improvement, and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices. • Collaboration and Teamwork: Effective professionals understand the value of collaboration. They work well with others, contribute to team goals, and understand that diverse perspectives can lead to better solutions. • Results Driven Performance: High performing professionals focus on delivering results. They set high standards for their own performance and are committed to achieving objectives efficiently and effectively. Qualifications: • A bachelor’s degree in International Business, Supply Chain Management or a related field with at least 2 years experience or equivalent work experience that provides exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts. • Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL). • In-depth understanding of inventory management principles and practices. • Experience with inventory management software and systems. • Ability to develop and implement inventory optimization strategies. • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world. At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment. Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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