Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Production Planner

Job Description

The Production Planner develops and manages rolling production plans that align with the master production schedule and customer orders in a complex manufacturing environment. This role optimizes capacity, labor, and equipment utilization while coordinating closely with supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams. The Production Planner monitors production progress, resolves delays, and maintains accurate planning data in ERP/MRP systems to ensure on-time delivery and efficient operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and continuously adjust a rolling production plan in alignment with the master production schedule and customer orders.
• Execute clear-to-build processes in collaboration with supply chain, engineering, and manufacturing teams to confirm material and resource availability.
• Establish and manage work order priorities and sequencing to maximize production efficiency and meet customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor production progress on an ongoing basis and proactively address delays, disruptions, or bottlenecks.
• Optimize production capacity, labor allocation, and equipment utilization to support efficient scheduling and throughput.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date production planning data in ERP/MRP systems, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Coordinate with the commercial team to evaluate and manage expedite requests, balancing customer needs with operational constraints.
• Collaborate on New Product Introduction (NPI) projects as needed, supporting planning and scheduling for new or modified products.
• Measure key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production planning and scheduling, and take action to improve performance.
• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvement opportunities within production planning, scheduling, and related workflows.
• Support inventory management by aligning production schedules with material availability and supply chain logistics.
• Work closely with logistics teams to ensure timely movement of materials and finished goods in support of production plans.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience in production planning or scheduling, preferably within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, such as NetSuite, for production planning and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) technology and processes.
• Experience with production planning, production scheduling, and inventory management.
• Knowledge of supply chain logistics and their impact on production schedules.
• Proficiency in MS Office, with strong skills in Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to plan and schedule production in environments such as sheet metal and switchgear manufacturing.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate planning data.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to address production disruptions and scheduling conflicts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience working with NetSuite specifically for production planning and logistics.
• Experience in complex manufacturing environments involving sheet metal, switchgear, or similar products.
• Familiarity with planning and scheduling in ERP/MRP systems beyond NetSuite.
• Experience collaborating on New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from a planning and scheduling perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement process improvements in production planning and scheduling.
• Comfort working with key performance indicators (KPIs) and using data to drive decisions.
• Interest in long-term opportunities, including potential conversion to a permanent role with the planning team.

Work Environment

This position operates in a complex manufacturing environment that emphasizes efficient production planning and scheduling. The role follows a Monday through Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will work extensively with ERP/MRP systems, including NetSuite, and use MS Excel and other office tools to manage data and reporting. The work involves close collaboration with supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and commercial teams to coordinate materials, production activities, and deliveries. The environment supports continuous improvement and offers the potential to transition into a permanent position within the planning team.

This is a Permanent position based out of Hanover, MD.

The pay range for this position is $87000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

o Health & Welfare Benefits: You are eligible to participate in the company’s health and welfare benefits program which includes medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, 401(k) with a company match, and additional voluntary benefits. Eligibility for health benefits begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment and eligibility for the 401 (k) begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment. A summary of the benefit program will be sent under separate cover. o Holidays client provides 10 paid holidays each calendar year. The 2025 holiday schedule includes: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day & the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. o Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) We believe in the importance of taking time to rest, recharge, and pursue personal interests. Therefore, we offer an unlimited PTO policy that allows you to take the time off without a fixed number of days. We trust our employees to request time off through the proper system with a minimum of two (2) weeks prior notice, manage their time responsibly, coordinate with their teams, and prioritize business needs. Maximum consecutive days an employee shall be out on PTO/holidays shall not exceed 10 or two calendar weeks (includes weekends).

This is a fully onsite position in Hanover,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

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.