Production Planner

Job Title: Production Planner

Job Description

The Production Planner plays a key role in developing and maintaining master production schedules that align with customer demand, capacity, and inventory targets. This position translates sales orders and forecasts into detailed work orders, coordinates closely with procurement and cross-functional teams, and adjusts schedules in real time to ensure on-time delivery and efficient production. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys analytical work, thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and is eager to contribute ideas and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and publish master production schedules (MPS) that align with customer orders, demand forecasts, and production capacity.
• Translate sales orders and demand forecasts into detailed work orders and shop floor release schedules.
• Sequence and prioritize production runs to minimize changeover time, reduce work-in-process (WIP), and optimize throughput.
• Adjust production schedules in real time to respond to machine downtime, material shortages, labor constraints, and changes in customer demand.
• Collaborate with procurement to ensure raw materials, components, and packaging are available to support planned production.
• Monitor material requirements planning (MRP) outputs and resolve exceptions, shortages, and excess inventory situations.
• Track and manage finished goods inventory levels against established targets and replenishment triggers.
• Participate in daily and weekly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings and provide accurate planning inputs.
• Communicate schedule changes, delays, and constraints to customer service, sales, and operations leadership in a timely manner.
• Partner with engineering and quality teams to incorporate new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes into the production schedule.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as schedule adherence, on-time delivery (OTD), and production efficiency.
• Identify production bottlenecks and recommend capacity adjustments, including overtime, outsourcing, or equipment investments.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction and lead time compression.
• Actively contribute ideas and feedback to improve planning processes, tools, and overall operational performance.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience with ERP/MRP systems; ERP experience is required.
• Hands-on production planning experience in a manufacturing or supply chain environment.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed planning decisions.
• Experience with material planning, inventory management, and schedule planning.
• Knowledge of supply chain, logistics, and production control principles.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple production schedules while meeting deadlines.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with procurement, engineering, quality, sales, and operations teams.
• Ability to adapt plans quickly in response to changing conditions such as equipment downtime or material constraints.
• Proficiency in tracking and reporting KPIs related to schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and production efficiency.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience with ERP/MRP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, SYSPRO, Visual, or similar systems.
• Experience in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience participating in S&OP processes and cross-functional planning meetings.
• Comfort working closely with scheduling professionals and learning established best practices.
• Willingness to voice opinions constructively and suggest process improvements.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sussex, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $38.46/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 Sussex,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.