Production Planner - Lean Manufacturing

Production Planning In Lean Manufacturing

The Production Planner develops and manages detailed production plans that ensure on-time delivery, optimal use of resources, and efficient manufacturing operations. This role creates and maintains project schedules and budgets, sequences operations for efficient product assembly, and drives continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and related methodologies. The Production Planner works closely with cross-functional teams to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and enhance overall productivity.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, and budgets for manufacturing and production-related projects.
• Create and maintain detailed production schedules to ensure that all milestones and deadlines are met.
• Identify and define the sequence of operations required to assemble products efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Monitor project and production schedules, proactively identifying risks and implementing corrective actions to keep plans on track.
• Lead initiatives focused on improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing productivity across production lines.
• Analyze existing production processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to optimize workflows and standardize best practices.
• Utilize SAP, ERP, and MRP systems to plan, schedule, and track production activities and material requirements.
• Manage inventory levels through effective inventory control practices to support uninterrupted production.
• Perform capacity planning to balance production demand with available resources and equipment.
• Maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOM) and ensure alignment between planning data and actual production requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, procurement, and logistics, to ensure smooth execution of production plans.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience in production planning within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Proficiency in SAP for production planning, scheduling, and materials management.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems to support end-to-end production and inventory processes.
• Working knowledge of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) to align material availability with production schedules.
• Proven ability in production scheduling to meet delivery deadlines and optimize resource utilization.
• Solid understanding of inventory control principles and practices.
• Experience in capacity planning to match production demand with available resources.
• Ability to read, interpret, and manage Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to process improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for evaluating production processes and performance.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and priorities.
• Clear and effective communication skills for coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading or supporting process improvement projects in a manufacturing setting.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Ability to work with data from SAP and ERP systems to generate reports and insights for decision-making.
• Comfort with change management and implementing new processes or standards on the production floor.
• Attention to detail in maintaining accurate planning data, inventory records, and BOM information.

Why Work Here?

Join a team that values structured planning, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. You will work in an environment that encourages the use of modern planning tools and methodologies and supports your growth in production planning and process optimization. The organization promotes collaboration across departments, offers opportunities to influence key operational decisions, and recognizes contributions that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall performance.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing-focused environment that relies on SAP, ERP, and MRP systems to manage production activities. You will spend much of your time working with digital planning tools, analyzing production data, and coordinating closely with production, procurement, and logistics teams. The work typically follows standard business hours, aligned with production schedules and project timelines, and may require occasional flexibility to support critical deadlines or schedule changes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hamilton, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $45.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Hamilton, OH.