Production Planner

Production ManagerThe Production Planner/Manager provides hands-on leadership across multiple assembly shops, driving throughput, coordinating complex production schedules, and overseeing project management to ensure systems are efficiently assembled and shipped. This critical operational role translates business priorities into effective shop-floor execution within an industrial or heavy equipment manufacturing environment, while fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.ResponsibilitiesOversee day-to-day operations across multiple assembly shops, ensuring production targets, quality standards, and delivery commitments are consistently met.Manage all work centers, including Mechatronics, Fluid Power, Electrical Automation/Panels, and Machine & Fabrication, with approximately 20 technicians supporting these areas.Provide direct leadership to a team of four project managers, overseeing projects from cradle to grave, including timelines, milestones, and overall execution.Coordinate and monitor approximately 100 active projects at various stages, including planning, pre-production, and production, to maintain schedule integrity and resource alignment.Drive continuous improvement in workflow, floor layout, and assembly processes to maximize efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance throughput.Develop and manage master production schedules aligned with sales forecasts and customer order requirements, ensuring capacity and materials support delivery commitments.Anticipate capacity constraints and proactively adjust staffing, sequencing, and resource allocation to meet changing demand across multiple work centers.Collaborate closely with procurement, engineering, and sales to align material availability, production priorities, and customer requirements.Monitor production KPIs, including output, capacity utilization, and operational risks, and provide regular, data-driven reports and insights to leadership.Lead the project management team by providing coaching, performance feedback, and development support to strengthen project execution and accountability.Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for production staff to ensure appropriate skills and capacity across all shops.Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and craftsmanship on the shop floor, reinforcing adherence to workplace safety standards and quality expectations.Ensure compliance with workplace safety standards and quality control practices, including the use of quality management systems, inspection processes, and formal programs such as ISO 9001.Champion Lean manufacturing and 5S principles to improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational effectiveness across multi-area operations.Utilize production planning tools, ERP/MRP systems, or equivalent scheduling platforms to manage schedules, capacity, and material flow in a complex, multi-shop environment.Essential SkillsAssociates degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.8–12 years of progressive manufacturing or production experience, with at least 3 years in a management role overseeing multiple teams or departments.Experience in industrial or heavy equipment manufacturing, fabrication, or assembly environments.Demonstrated ability to manage production schedules and capacity across complex, multi-area operations.Proven experience overseeing multiple work centers or departments in a manufacturing setting.Strong leadership presence with a track record of developing supervisors and frontline team leads.Proficiency with production planning tools, ERP/MRP systems, or equivalent scheduling platforms.Solid understanding of workplace safety standards (OSHA) and quality control practices.Experience with quality management systems (QMS), inspection processes, or formal quality programs such as ISO 9001.Hands-on experience with scheduling, capacity planning, and material management in a multi-project environment.Ability to lead and coordinate a project management team handling cradle-to-grave project responsibilities.Strong organizational and time management skills to oversee approximately 100 active projects in different stages.Additional Skills & QualificationsLean manufacturing certification or demonstrated application of Lean and 5S principles.Experience managing multi-shop or multi-cell production environments.Familiarity with engineered-to-order or custom fabrication workflows.Bachelor's degree.Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, procurement, sales, and HR to align production with business goals.Comfort working in a leadership role that influences decisions across all divisions and projects.Strong communication skills to present production performance, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership.Work EnvironmentThe work environment combines both distribution and manufacturing operations, with approximately half of the business focused on distribution and half on manufacturing. Production is organized into four main work centers: Mechatronics, Fluid Power, Electrical Automation/Panels, and Machine & Fabrication, supported by around 20 technicians and four project managers overseeing roughly 100 active projects at any given time. The role operates in an industrial shop-floor setting that emphasizes safety, quality, and craftsmanship, and relies on production planning tools, ERP/MRP systems, and formal quality management programs such as ISO 9001. The Production Manager works closely with a small, collaborative leadership and engineering team, participates in cross-divisional decision-making, and plays a vital role in helping the organization become more effective and efficient.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $45.00 - $50.00/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 & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Charlotte, NC.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 2026.About ActalentActalent 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 click.appcast.io 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.