Inventory Planner III

Job Title: Inventory Planner III

Job Description

The Inventory Planner III supports a high-mix, low-volume production environment by managing the cycle counting process and driving a new kitting program. In this role, you receive material bags from warehouses containing all components technicians need to build products, issue work orders, verify sub-assemblies for accuracy, and organize them into clearly labeled shadow boxes. You work closely with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians to ensure materials are accurate, available, and properly documented. This position is ideal for a curious, self-directed professional who thrives in a highly ambiguous, start-up style environment and wants to help build and improve inventory and production processes from the ground up, with significant opportunities to move into various areas based on skills and career goals.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute the cycle counting process to maintain accurate inventory records and support production needs.
• Receive material bags from warehouses and verify that all components required for technicians to build products are present and correct.
• Issue work orders accurately and on time, ensuring materials and sub-assemblies are properly tracked and documented.
• Inspect and verify sub-assemblies for accuracy, completeness, and quality before placing them into shadow boxes.
• Organize, label, and maintain shadow boxes so technicians can easily identify and access the components they need.
• Work on the production floor in a high-mix, low-volume environment, collaborating closely with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
• Navigate between different functional teams to resolve issues related to materials, kitting, and inventory discrepancies.
• Identify problems in material flow, inventory accuracy, and kitting processes, and propose practical solutions.
• Use strong attention to detail to prevent and correct errors in work orders, inventory counts, and sub-assembly documentation.
• Leverage computer and Excel skills to create forms, track data, and develop new ways to parse and analyze inventory and production information.
• Begin to utilize AI tools to build and improve processes, reports, or data workflows related to inventory and kitting.
• Take initiative to deep dive into issues, understand root causes, and drive continuous improvement in materials control and fulfillment.
• Adapt to changing priorities and a highly ambiguous, start-up style environment, stepping in to help wherever needed on the floor.
• Demonstrate high ownership and a bias for action by proactively addressing gaps in processes and following tasks through to completion.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with cross-functional partners, both verbally and in writing, to ensure alignment on materials and production needs.
• Stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods to monitor inventory, support technicians, and ensure materials are in the right place at the right time.
• Participate in onboarding activities such as facility tours, introductions to MES systems, and hands-on training to quickly learn the role and environment.
• Support a safe, organized, and efficient warehouse-like environment by following established procedures and contributing to process improvements.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of experience, with flexibility on experience, in areas such as materials control, inventory, fulfillment, production, manufacturing, customer service, or retail.
• Experience working on or directly supporting a high-mix, low-volume production floor.
• Ability to navigate effectively between material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to spot discrepancies and maintain accurate records.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to perform deep dives into issues.
• Comfort working in a highly ambiguous, start-up style environment and adapting to change.
• Hungry, go-getter mentality with a high level of ownership and bias for action.
• Positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed on the floor or within the team.
• Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to take initiative without constant supervision.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills, including experience using Excel.
• Ability to maintain a stable work history without frequent short-term roles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse, production, fulfillment center, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience in materials control, inventory management, or related operations.
• Customer service or retail experience that demonstrates strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with SAP, ERP, MES, or MRP systems.
• Ability to use Excel to create new forms, reports, and methods for parsing and analyzing data.
• Interest in and openness to utilizing AI tools to build or enhance processes and workflows.
• Curious mindset with a desire to learn new systems, tools, and processes quickly.
• Comfort working in a start-up phase environment where processes are still being built and refined.
• Desire for growth and the flexibility to move into different areas based on skills and career goals.

Work Environment

This role is based in a warehouse-style production environment with significant time spent on the production floor. The schedule follows a rotating structure that includes two front half days, two back half days, one front half night, and one back half night. Day shift typically runs from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM with lunch around 11:00 AM. Night shift typically runs from 5:00 PM to 3:30 AM with lunch around 10:00 PM. Front half shifts generally run Sunday through Wednesday, while back half shifts generally run Wednesday through Saturday. Training and onboarding will take place over approximately 1 to 3 weeks, Monday through Friday during standard business hours, regardless of the final assigned shift. During onboarding, you will tour the facility, become familiar with the areas where you will work, and receive training on MES systems and related tools. The environment shares similarities with a warehouse, including being on your feet, moving between workstations, and working around production equipment. You should be comfortable standing and walking for extended periods and working in a dynamic, start-up style setting where processes are still evolving.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Redmond, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $27.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Redmond,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.