Production Planner - Direct Hire

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Hire Production Planner
Location: Wood Dale, IL
Hours: Monday–Friday 7am - 4:30pm + overtime on Saturday
Pay: $30-36 per hour based on experience 
Full Benefits Package

Kelly is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Production Planner / Scheduler to support operations at a growing sheet metal fabrication facility in Wood Dale, IL. This role is responsible for coordinating and optimizing the flow of work across the production floor, ensuring materials, capacity, and schedules align to meet customer demand.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone experienced in a high-mix, fast-paced manufacturing environment who thrives on organization, problem-solving, and driving operational efficiency.

Position Summary

The Production Planner / Scheduler will develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules across all work centers, including laser cutting, CNC forming, welding, and finishing. This role plays a critical part in ensuring on-time delivery, efficient machine utilization, and smooth production flow.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with ERP systems (ProfitFab preferred), strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily and weekly production schedules across all departments
• Sequence jobs to maximize throughput and machine utilization
• Create and manage work orders within ProfitFab ERP
• Monitor job progress and update schedules in real time
• Review and validate Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings for accuracy
• Ensure material and hardware availability prior to production release
• Analyze production capacity and proactively address bottlenecks
• Collaborate with production, engineering, purchasing, and quality teams
• Align production schedules with material flow and customer priorities
• Track and report on performance metrics and continuous improvement opportunities

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 3+ years of production scheduling or planning experience in manufacturing
• Experience in a fabrication or high-mix/low-volume environment preferred

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of sheet metal fabrication processes (laser cutting, forming, welding, finishing)
• Experience with or knowledge of ProfitFab ERP (highly preferred)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and work instructions
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Proficiency in ERP systems, Excel, and production tracking tools

Work Environment

• Combination of office and shop floor environment
• Fast-paced manufacturing setting with frequent interaction across departments

Success Metrics

• On-time delivery performance
• Schedule adherence and accuracy
• Reduced production lead times
• Improved machine utilization and workflow efficiency

Interested?  Apply today! Use this link to schedule an interview directly on my calendar 

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Put your skills to work.

There are a lot of different light industrial jobs out there. Kelly® Professional & Industrial recruiters are focused on only offering opportunities with companies that provide competitive pay, safe work environments, and cultures that recognize your value. Whether you’re looking for flexible shifts, performance bonuses, or a progressive work culture-we’re dedicated to finding the very best opportunities for you.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.