Production Planner

Job Title: Production Planner

Job Description

The Production Planner plays a key role in developing and managing master production schedules that align with customer demand, capacity, and material availability. This position translates sales orders and forecasts into actionable work orders, coordinates closely with procurement and cross-functional teams, and drives continuous improvement in production efficiency, inventory management, and on-time delivery performance. The role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to collaborate directly with an experienced master scheduler while contributing ideas to improve processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and publish master production schedules that align with customer orders, demand forecasts, and available capacity.

• Translate sales orders and demand forecasts into detailed work orders and shop floor release schedules.

• Sequence and prioritize production runs to minimize changeover time, reduce work-in-process inventory, and optimize throughput.

• Adjust production schedules in real time in response to machine downtime, material shortages, labor constraints, or changes in customer demand.

• Collaborate with procurement to ensure raw materials, components, and packaging are available when needed to support the production plan.

• Monitor material requirements planning (MRP) outputs and resolve exceptions, including shortages and excess inventory situations.

• Track and manage finished goods inventory levels against targets and replenishment triggers.

• Participate in daily and weekly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings and provide planning inputs and updates.

• Communicate schedule changes, delays, and constraints clearly to customer service, sales, and operations leadership.

• Partner with engineering and quality teams to incorporate new product introductions and engineering changes into the production schedule.

• Track and report key performance indicators such as schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and production efficiency.

• Identify production bottlenecks and recommend capacity adjustments, including overtime, outsourcing, or equipment investment.

• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste and compressing lead times.

• Actively contribute ideas and feedback to improve planning processes, tools, and cross-functional collaboration.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in production planning and scheduling within a manufacturing or supply chain environment.

• Hands-on experience with ERP and MRP systems is required, with familiarity in platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, SYSPRO, Visual, or similar.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed planning decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to manage inventory levels, including raw materials, components, packaging, and finished goods.

• Experience in schedule planning, logistics coordination, and production control.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with procurement, engineering, quality, customer service, sales, and operations teams.

• Solid understanding of material planning, supply chain principles, and capacity management.

• Clear and proactive communication skills to share schedule changes, constraints, and recommendations.

• Ability to adjust plans quickly in response to changing conditions and maintain focus on on-time delivery and efficiency.

• Education in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with or supporting S&OP processes and cross-functional planning meetings.

• Experience in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives aimed at waste reduction and lead time compression.

• Comfort working closely with other scheduling professionals and learning from their expertise.

• Willingness to voice opinions constructively and propose process improvements to enhance planning and operations.

• Ability to prioritize multiple demands and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite and follows a standard daytime schedule, typically from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The Production Planner works closely with the master scheduler and cross-functional teams in a collaborative manufacturing and office environment. The setting supports hands-on involvement with ERP/MRP systems and frequent interaction with operations, procurement, engineering, quality, sales, and customer service. The culture emphasizes growth, continuous improvement, and open communication, providing substantial opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and to influence process enhancements.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $38.46/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 Sussex,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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 click.appcast.io (%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.