Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

The Master Planner develops and maintains detailed production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed on time and in full. This role balances production capacity, labor, materials, and equipment constraints to optimize manufacturing output, while closely coordinating with cross-functional teams and leveraging ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel tools to drive efficient, accurate planning in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed on time and in full.
• Balance production capacity, labor, materials, and equipment constraints to optimize manufacturing output.
• Coordinate with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Inventory teams to align production priorities with material availability.
• Utilize Microsoft Dynamics and other planning tools to manage production orders, batch sizing, scheduling, and inventory requirements.
• Analyze production demand and capacity requirements to proactively identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
• Support raw material planning and order management in an order-driven manufacturing environment.
• Create, modify, and improve Excel-based planning tools, reports, and pivot tables to enhance visibility and decision-making.
• Review Bills of Materials (BOMs) and production requirements to ensure planning accuracy.
• Develop and document planning processes, standard work, and operating procedures to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Help bridge existing planning gaps while the organization transitions to a new MRP system.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational standardization.
• Monitor planning metrics and communicate production risks, material shortages, and schedule changes to key stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of production planning experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing production schedules, capacity planning, and production order execution.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and shop floor processes.
• Strong ERP/MRP experience, with Microsoft Dynamics experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Experience working with Bills of Materials (BOMs), inventory management, and material planning.
• Proven ability to work independently and quickly become effective in a new environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify efficiencies and improve planning processes.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in production planning, production scheduling, and supply chain coordination.
• Background in schedule planning within an order-driven manufacturing environment.
• Experience using ERP tools for production, inventory, and material requirements planning.
• Forward-thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate issues and propose solutions.
• Comfort working in environments undergoing system transitions, such as implementation of new MRP platforms.

Work Environment

The role operates within a manufacturing environment that relies on ERP/MRP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics, to manage production orders, inventory, and material requirements. The Production Planner works closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Inventory, and leadership teams in a collaborative, cross-functional setting. The position involves extensive use of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and data analysis tools, to build and refine planning reports and dashboards. The environment emphasizes continuous improvement, operational standardization, and clear communication of production risks, material shortages, and schedule changes to stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $42.00 - $48.00/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 Fox Lake,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 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 View email address on ziprecruiter.com 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.