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Production Planning and Supply Chain Manager

Dover · Skokie, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 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 how you coached a team of planners and buyers to perform better.

What they are checking: Leadership and accountability, which the posting emphasizes for this team.

Tell me about a sourcing decision you made that saved money without hurting quality.

What they are checking: Whether they bring strategic sourcing thinking, not just order placement.

How do you balance putting out today's fires with long-term improvement?

What they are checking: Whether they can drive near-term execution and strategic change at the same time.

What would you do

A key supplier misses a delivery and the line will stop in two days. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can act fast with expediting, alternate sources and clear communication.

Sales wants a rush order that would bump other customers. How do you decide?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh customer impact and work with sales on fair tradeoffs.

About the work

Walk me through how you build a production plan that balances customer demand with capacity.

What they are checking: Whether they understand master scheduling and capacity planning in a real plant.

How do you set inventory targets so you avoid shortages without tying up too much cash?

What they are checking: Whether they understand safety stock and the tradeoff between service and cost.

How would you make the plant schedule more predictable?

What they are checking: Whether they can reduce schedule changes, matching the posting's goal of predictable operations.

How do you use your ERP system's MRP output, and when do you not trust it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand MRP well enough to catch bad data before it causes problems.

What metrics would you use to run this team?

What they are checking: Whether they manage with measures like on-time delivery, inventory turns and schedule attainment.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Dover.

Since 1892, OPW customers have been able to count on us to revolutionize fluid-handling operations around the world. As a global leader in fluid-handling solutions, the mission of OPW is to be a developer of a comprehensive array of innovative fluid-handling solutions that our customers can consistently and reliably count on. These include loading and unloading systems for high-value hazardous and non-hazardous bulk products; railcar and transport tank-truck valves, gauging devices and tank-monitoring systems; automated storage-terminal controls and systems; and regulators, fittings, valves, vaporizers, vacuum-jacketed piping and gas-handling systems for the safe handling and distribution of cryogenics and industrial gases. OPW has more than 2,000 employees with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe and China, and sales offices around the world. OPW is part of the Clean Energy & Fueling segment of Dover (NYSE: DOV). The Production Planning and Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading production planning, buying, sourcing, and materials management activities to optimize safe, efficient, and predictable manufacturing operations. This role provides strong leadership, coaching, and accountability to a team of planners and buyers while driving both near-term execution and long-term strategic improvement. The Production Planning and Supply Chain Manager develops and implements systems, processes, and procedures that improve productivity, efficiency, and service by leveraging advanced planning and scheduling tools within the ERP environment. This role plays a critical part in stabilizing operational performance, strengthening supplier partnerships, and aligning supply chain execution with business unit and corporate objectives. The Production Planning and Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading production planning, buying, sourcing, and materials management activities to optimize safe, efficient, and predictable manufacturing operations. This role provides strong leadership, coaching, and accountability to a team of planners and buyers while driving both near-term execution and long-term strategic improvement. The Production Planning and Supply Chain Manager develops and implements systems, processes, and procedures that improve productivity, efficiency, and service by leveraging advanced planning and scheduling tools within the ERP environment. This role plays a critical part in stabilizing operational performance, strengthening supplier partnerships, and aligning supply chain execution with business unit and corporate objectives. Primary Responsibilities/Essential Responsibilities • Lead the work of production planners and buyers. Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and structured performance management • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and planning team • Develop, support, and implement cross functional and strategic initiatives that align with company goals • Champion a fact-based culture centered on measurable results and accountable behaviors. Establish clear expectations, standard work, and accountability across planning, buying, and materials functions • Lead production planning activities. Proactively look at future demand, identifying potential issues and ensuring material availability to meet production needs • Drive execution of materials management initiatives by understanding and responding to business requirements and operating plans • Develop and implement systems and procedures that increase productivity and efficiency while following good manufacturing practices utilizing state-of-the-art electronic planning and scheduling tools • Source and negotiate with world class suppliers to secure advantageous terms while managing supplier performance, contracts and compliance to support business needs • Maintain supplier relationships using vendor scorecards and continuous improvement discussions • Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for material shortages, inventory turns deficiencies, schedule misses, and inventory inaccuracies • Participate in capital equipment purchases and long-term supplier contract negotiations • Partner with Quality to address supplier quality issues and implement corrective actions • Develop and report on KPIs related to planning and buying • Oversee MRO purchasing to support operational uptime while maintaining cost discipline • Drive improvements in on-time delivery performance, schedule adherence, and material availability • Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Sales and Finance to resolve systemic issues impacting delivery and customer satisfaction while optimizing capacity, inventory levels to balance cost and services levels • Influence business units to modify requirements when necessary to align with corporate objectives without sacrificing customer service levels • Support operational and strategic initiatives, including capacity expansion and growth programs • Other duties that may be assigned Qualifications / Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience) • Minimum of 7 years of progressive supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment • Lean manufacturing knowledge and implementation experience required • Strong working knowledge of MRP and planning systems; Oracle ERP experience is a plus • Proven ability to stabilize and improve underperforming or turnaround supply chain organizations • Broad functional understanding across purchasing, demand planning, order entry, order management, inventory management, and systems development • Proven track record of team management. Strong, confident leader who sets expectations and holds teams accountable • Ability to influence cross-functional teams and business units without sacrificing customer service • Proven track record of interpreting the complex relationships of policies, contractual requirements and the legal/regulatory aspects of materials management to establish and implement effective negotiation strategies Desired Characteristics/Competence and Capabilities • Action-oriented with the ability to be hands-on while maintaining a strategic perspective • Structured, data-driven problem solver with strong systems thinking • Effective communicator and relationship builder across all levels of the organization • Experience in rail car components, valves, or regulated industrial manufacturing environments a plus • Demonstrated business acumen, communication skills, and relationship management. • Hands on work ethic with results focus is required. • Strong collaboration skills. Expert in working in cross functional areas • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal • High level of proficiency in Microsoft 365 products • Strong negotiation, analytical, project management skills and familiarity with global sourcing and logistics • Ability to effectively manage and resolve changing and conflicting priorities appropriately • Excellent communication and leadership abilities with a passion for implementing innovative solutions and process improvement (six sigma, lean initiatives, etc.). • Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite). Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions: • This position is performed in an office environment but will have regular exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse environment. May be exposed to loud operating machinery, cold temperatures, chemicals, and vapors • May require a combination of sitting, standing, and walking • May require use of Personal computer, copy machine, other office equipment, • General office environment requiring extended periods of sitting in ambient inside temperature, lighting and noise level • Must be able to sit, walk, stand reach with hand and arms, stoop, kneel, bend and twist, grasp and manipulate with hands and fingers as needed • Lifting generally less than 5lbs. May occasionally be required to lift up to 25lbs without assistance • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus naturally or with corrective eyewear 

Pay Range: USD 147.000.00 - 165,000.00 Annually

This position is eligible to earn a discretionary bonus based on performance metrics and other criteria outlined in our applicable bonus plan.

We consider several job-related, non-discriminatory factors when determining the pay rate for a position, including, but not limited to, the position’s responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, a candidate’s education/training, the position’s location, and the key skills needed for the position. Pay is one of the Total Rewards that we provide to compensate and recognize employees for their work.


 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law. Fraudulent Recruiting Disclaimer: Dover Corporation and our affiliated operating companies want to alert applicants to internet job posting fraud, where parties posing as Dover employees, recruiters, or other agents, try to engage with online candidates in an attempt to steal personal and/or financial information. We do not endorse or engage in any recruitment practices that involve payment or personal information outside of our official application and hiring process. Please verify the authenticity of an invitation to apply for a job, or for a job offer by contacting us directly through our Dover and affiliated operating company websites at https://careers.dovercorporation.com/ . To learn how you can protect yourself, review our Recruitment Fraud Notice on our careers site. Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know. Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact opwaccommodations@acmecryo.com for assistance with an accommodation. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response.

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