Kara Lainez
Houston
Summary
Manufacturing Planner with over 7 years of experience in production scheduling and supply chain management, adept at optimizing inventory levels and ensuring timely deliveries. Proficient in Lean Manufacturing and MRP Systems, with a proven track record in managing teams and collaborating across departments to enhance operational efficiency. Committed to leveraging analytical skills to drive process improvements and support organizational growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manufacturing Master Planner
General Plastics & Composites
Houston, TX
11.2025 - Current
- Leads 3 Manufacturing Planners and 2 Production Control Coordinators
- Developed and maintains integrated master production schedules across product lines to align customer demand, material availability, and manufacturing capacity.
- Distributes 5-day ship queue and facilitates Daily S&OP meeting to review ship schedule, driving on-time delivery performance and aligning cross-functional teams
- Coordinates cross-functional planning activities between Production, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, and Customer Service to ensure on-time delivery performance.
- Collaborates with procurement teams to mitigate supply chain risks and ensure continuity of production schedules.
- Utilizes ERP/MRP systems to generate production requirements, monitor work order status, and ensure material availability.
- Facilitates daily and weekly production review meetings to communicate priorities, resolve constraints, and drive schedule execution.
Senior Planner
General Plastics & Composites
Houston, TX
06.2022 - 11.2025
- Lead 2 Production Control Coordinators and 1 Tool Crib Attendant
- Updated and sends out Daily and Weekly Metrics and KPI’s
- Ran shortages and collaborated with other planners and Sales Department to schedule new customer orders for all departments
- Scheduled final assemblies for Flow Department and oversaw scheduling of sub-assemblies and 30 CNC machines
- Monitored demand daily to prioritize material and adjust schedules to meet on time delivery goals
- Participated in Production Board Reviews to review new parts with Engineering and New Product Development
- Partnered with engineering to refine work order processes, updating PCPs and router notes for improved operational flow
- Responsible for data management, analyzing performance, identifying problems, and developing recommendations that support supply chain/inventory levels
- Analyzed manufacturing variances and demand fluctuations to support proactive decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
Planner
General Plastics & Composites
Houston, TX
02.2021 - 06.2022
- Scheduled 7 production processes and their associated areas in the Materials Department
- Monitored inventory and worked with Purchasing Department to ensure raw material was available to meet production goals
- Enforced a strong safety culture by leading by example and promoting the safety program
- Reviewed processes for continuous improvement
- Directed, advised, and solved manufacturing and other related problems by utilizing resources to implement corrective procedures
- Spearheaded continuous improvement initiatives, creating and revamping work instructions company-wide to support ISO9001 and AS9100 certification efforts.
Manufacturing Coordinator
General Plastics & Composites
Houston, TX
11.2018 - 02.2021
- Maintained Daily Production Board and sent out report with daily goals and actual production
- Maintained inventory of consumable tooling and worked with purchasing to replenish stock
- Reviewed all inventory in VMI machines and price matched for cost reductions
- Worked with outside vendors to provide quotes for tooling and consumables
- Maintained Red Tag Tooling spreadsheet and ordered new tooling when needed
- Lead 5S program implementation, enhancing workplace organization and productivity through strategic floor planning
Executive Assistant
McLennan County Commissioner’s Office Precinct 4
Waco, TX
01.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed county phone switchboard, efficiently directing calls to correct departments.
- Revised documents in multiple formats, improving clarity and accessibility
- Designed and edited fliers and postcards, enhancing communication with residents
- Compiled reports and presentations for officials, aiding in informed decision-making
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Minor in English
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TXSkills
- Lean Manufacturing
- MRP Systems
- ISO Standards
- Project Management
- Inventory Management
- Team Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning
- Time Management
- Quality Assurance
- Microsoft Office
- Process Improvement
Certification
- APICS CPIM
- Lean/Six-Sigma Yellow Belt
Timeline
Manufacturing Master Planner
General Plastics & Composites
11.2025 - Current
Senior Planner
General Plastics & Composites
06.2022 - 11.2025
Planner
General Plastics & Composites
02.2021 - 06.2022
Manufacturing Coordinator
General Plastics & Composites
11.2018 - 02.2021
Executive Assistant
McLennan County Commissioner’s Office Precinct 4
01.2016 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Minor in English
Tarleton State University