What does a planning specialist do?
A planning specialist is responsible for monitoring the project management procedures of an organization's operations, ensuring that the team meets budget goals and deadline deliverables. Planning specialists coordinate with suppliers and other third-party vendors for materials needed in the operations, as well as inspecting the efficiency and performance of equipment to prevent delays. They also manage the team's adherence to production schedule, task delegations, and output deliveries. A planning specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing progress reports and performing other related administrative duties.
Planning specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real planning specialist resumes:
- Lead RFP process including issuance, review and award.
- Lead SOX compliance process, enabling identification and elimination of control weaknesses in several business cycles.
- Lead clients and counsel in new plan conversions, regulations for IRS, ERISA, and DOL agencies.
- Maintain assign BOM, in-transit times, and lead times to achieve customer and corporate goals and improve bottom-line.
- Lead cross-functional team in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification processes, including writing and testing of ISO policies.
- Lead the design and development of forecasting database, including scenario planning and analysis, KPI reports, and executive summaries.
- Instruct support staff in the use AUTOCAD.
- Create plan orders in the ERP system for raw ingredients and finish goods.
- Serve as part of team that research efficacy of Medicare HMO's to the DOD.
- Gather historical and yield data usage reports from the ERP system to forecast upcoming production orders.
- Utilize AutoCAD to design and maintain architectural floor plans that increase the Nike Inline store business.
- Train the team in the use of their new UNIX computers so they can perform at maximum level.
- Strategize with program managers and project engineers from various functions to implement well plan time-phased budgets per DOD directives.
- Work with transportation carriers, export brokers, freight forwarders and 3rd party vendors to ensure optimum supply performance.
- Provide system and database administration for test call system and AMA billing verification, using UNIX commands and shell scripting.
Planning specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Planning Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Logistics, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer service skills, Organizational skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Planning Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 13%
Worked directly with customer service representatives and scheduling specialists to ensure customer orders were produced on time to meet delivery dates.
- Logistics, 10%
Managed Air Force Logistics Contingency Programs via Secure Computer Systems and Databases.
- Project Management, 10%
Designed and launched customized project management workshops focusing on Lessons Learned, Planning Jam Sessions and Schedule Management.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Orchestrate and implement various supply chain projects and changes as a result of data analysis and business needs.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Established and maintained adherence of Lean Six Sigma principles and facilitated continuous improvement through employee empowerment and suggestions.
- Customer Satisfaction, 4%
Ensured installation success and high levels of customer satisfaction by judiciously navigating through and overcoming politically charged situations.
Most planning specialists use their skills in "customer service," "logistics," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential planning specialist responsibilities here:
Customer service skills. One of the key soft skills for a planning specialist to have is customer service skills. You can see how this relates to what planning specialists do because "logisticians must know the needs of their customers in order to coordinate the movement of materials between suppliers and customers." Additionally, a planning specialist resume shows how planning specialists use customer service skills: "support agreements manager for all inter and intra service contracts between dod and non dod agencies. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform planning specialist duties is organizational skills. Planning specialists responsibilities require that "logisticians must be able to keep detailed records and simultaneously manage several projects in a fast-paced environment." Planning specialists also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided ad hoc thought leadership on human capital, performance management, hr development, organizational development and process improvement matters. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of planning specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday planning specialist duties, as "logisticians must handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided technical assistance for escalated problem resolution originating from tier i support team. "
Communication skills. For certain planning specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a planning specialist rely on this skill, as "logisticians need strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and do business with suppliers and customers." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what planning specialists do: "supported financial analysis and fiscal planning for major international telecommunications company. "
The three companies that hire the most planning specialists are:
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Compare different planning specialists
Planning specialist vs. Logistics team member
A logistics team member is an employee who works as part of the logistics team to unload trucks and prepares the new merchandise to be displayed inside the store and stock room. Logistic team members are required to move products from the backroom to the sales floor using forklifts and other proper equipment and techniques. They manage freight flow by collaborating with distribution centers and other logistics team so that they can regulate freight flow and resolve any issues. Logistic team members must also provide excellent customer service by answering questions and assisting them with the merchandise.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, planning specialist responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "logistics," "project management," and "data analysis." Meanwhile a typical logistics team member has skills in areas such as "exceptional guest," "quality standards," "pet," and "work ethic." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, logistics team members reach lower levels of education than planning specialists. Logistics team members are 10.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Planning specialist vs. Logistics internship
In a logistics internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around processing documentation, producing progress reports, maintaining records, updating databases, answering calls and correspondence, disseminating information, and running errands. They may also participate in coordinating deliveries, devise strategies to optimize processes according to schedules, liaise with clients, and participate in preparing presentations. Should there be any problems or concerns, it is essential to report to the manager right away.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real planning specialist resumes. While planning specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "logistics," "project management," and "customer satisfaction," logistics interns use skills like "supply chain," "logistics intern," "chain management," and "process improvement."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Logistics interns tend to reach similar levels of education than planning specialists. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Planning specialist vs. Logistics team lead
A logistics team lead is responsible for the management, inspection, and supervision of all the needs of a company or enterprise. They are needed to ensure that the product is properly used and coordinate the delivery, procurement, and shipping of goods. These team members are detail-oriented to ensure that customers are confident that their packages are secure and will be delivered without any hassle. Logistics leaders can often be seen in warehouses, factories, and cargo stores.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from planning specialist resumes include skills like "logistics," "project management," "data analysis," and "continuous improvement," whereas a logistics team lead is more likely to list skills in "safety procedures," "sales floor," "lean manufacturing," and "stock merchandise. "
Most logistics team leads achieve a lower degree level compared to planning specialists. For example, they're 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Planning specialist vs. Logistic assistant
A logistics assistant is in charge of performing daily support tasks to maintain a smooth workflow in warehouses and retail facilities. Among their responsibilities include overseeing shipments and deliveries, keeping records and documentation, monitoring the quality and quantity of deliveries, understanding and adhering to guidelines, preparing orders and invoices, and managing warehouse inventory. Moreover, a logistics assistant may also handle calls and correspondence, reach out to vendors and suppliers, arrange shelves, and maintain the cleanliness of work areas.
Types of planning specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
