Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description:

The Production Planner plans, prepares, issues, and controls production schedules while coordinating material requirements to ensure a smooth and timely flow of approved materials that meet production demands. This role monitors work in progress, material availability, and potential production issues, advising leadership so that personnel, equipment, materials, and services are available when needed. The Production Planner plays a key role in aligning master production schedules, shop load, and inventory requirements to support efficient manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, issue, and control detailed production schedules to meet established production requirements.
• Coordinate material requirements to ensure a controlled and timely flow of approved materials into the production process.
• Monitor and report on the status of work in progress, material availability, and potential production problems to management.
• Ensure that personnel, equipment, materials, and services are scheduled and available to support planned production activities.
• Schedule equipment and personnel in alignment with the master production schedule and shop load.
• Confirm material supply and demand levels to support current and future production needs.
• Prepare work orders for production and purchase requests for components or parts based on the master production schedule and inventory requirements.
• Coordinate interdepartmental activities with quality assurance, manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, inventory control, traffic, and other relevant functions.
• Schedule and expedite the movement of parts through the use of move orders, stock transfers, and requests for shipping orders.
• Support inventory management efforts by aligning production plans with inventory levels and replenishment strategies.
• Use Microsoft Office and other planning tools to maintain accurate production data, schedules, and reports.
• Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in the production process and recommend corrective actions.

Essential Skills:

• Experience in production planning and production scheduling in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of material management, including material supply and demand planning.
• Knowledge of inventory and inventory management practices.
• Ability to coordinate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams such as quality assurance, manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, inventory control, and traffic.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for scheduling, reporting, and data analysis.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in preparing work orders, purchase requests, and movement documentation for parts.
• Analytical skills to identify potential production problems and propose solutions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, with no prior experience required.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, 4 years of related exempt experience may be substituted.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, 8 years of non-related exempt experience may be substituted.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, 12 years of relevant non-exempt experience in manufacturing, military, shipbuilding, or trades may be substituted.
• An Apprentice Certificate or graduation from Navy Nuclear Power School may be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree.
• A relevant professional certification may be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Relevant professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), or AICP are recognized as certification equivalencies.
• Background in industrial, manufacturing, military, shipbuilding, or trade environments is highly valuable.

Work Environment:

• This role operates in industrial settings where production activities, material handling, and equipment scheduling are central to day-to-day work.
• The Production Planner works closely with manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, engineering, inventory control, and traffic teams, often in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift based on production demands.
• The position typically involves working in office spaces within or near the production floor, using computer-based planning tools and Microsoft Office applications to manage schedules, inventory data, and reports.
• The environment may include exposure to active manufacturing areas, with standard industrial safety practices and procedures in place.

This is a Contract position based out of Newport News, VA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Newport News,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® 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.