Production Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Supply Chain Specialist

Job Description

The Supply Chain Specialist manages planning, procurement, and supplier coordination to support production, maintain optimal inventory levels, and ensure continuity of supply in a regulated manufacturing environment. This role oversees multiple product lines from purchasing through finished goods inventory and works closely with vendors, sales, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing to optimize material flow and support business growth. The position requires a strong focus on production planning, long-term forecasting, and data-driven decision-making, while acting as a key contributor to cross-functional initiatives and strategic projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple product lines from procurement through finished goods inventory, ensuring materials and products are available to meet customer demand and production requirements.
• Develop material purchase plans based on sales forecasts, customer demand, and long-term business projections, with a strong emphasis on production planning.
• Analyze inventory usage, scrap, and waste, and provide strategic insights to improve inventory flow, reduce excess and obsolescence, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to manage supply fluctuations, including shortages, logistics delays, engineering changes, and order adjustments, while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Coordinate material movements between storage areas, contract manufacturers, and external suppliers to ensure timely availability of materials for production.
• Provide high-level recommendations on projects for each product line, including capacity planning, schedule optimization, and inventory strategies.
• Source materials and potential suppliers worldwide to support cost, quality, and continuity-of-supply objectives.
• Communicate inventory risks, trends, and performance metrics to leadership and key stakeholders, ensuring transparency around supply chain health.
• Collaborate with third-party logistics providers to ensure trade compliance documentation and certifications are in place for imports and exports.
• Lead supplier sourcing and negotiation activities to secure favorable terms, reliable supply, and strong supplier relationships.
• Own the end-to-end planning and execution of the manufacturing process, including building and managing production schedules and aligning resources to meet demand.
• Manage manufacturing schedules and align production plans with capacity, materials, and labor availability.
• Maintain and utilize ERP and MRP systems to support purchasing, planning, and supply chain management activities, ensuring data accuracy and effective system use.
• Use advanced Excel and analytical tools to support long-term forecasting (1+ year), demand planning, and performance tracking.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, customer service, engineering, production, and operations to align supply chain plans with business needs and resolve issues quickly.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to align production schedules, material supply, and delivery expectations.
• Support active product lines and, over time, contribute to new product introduction (NPI) activities from a planning and supply chain perspective.
• Act as a subject matter expert for two entry-level buyers and operations staff, providing guidance and support, and positioning the function for future growth.
• Focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) set by leadership, proactively identifying problems and proposing solutions before escalation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree, with a strong preference for candidates who wish to grow into higher-level roles within the organization.
• 5+ years of production planning experience, which may be combined with material planning and procurement, with production planning as the primary focus.
• 510 years of supply chain experience, including a mix of buying and planning responsibilities; analytical experience is beneficial.
• Proven experience building and managing production schedules and owning the full planning and execution cycle of the manufacturing process.
• Manufacturing experience in a regulated environment such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, aerospace, or similar industries.
• Strong ERP knowledge, with experience using enterprise resource planning systems (experience with JDE or similar platforms is acceptable).
• Proficiency in resource planning and material requirements planning (MRP) in a manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations and contract-related discussions.
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Experience with long-term forecasting, including planning horizons of at least one year.
• Proven ability to manage manufacturing schedules and align them with demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Experience working with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Demonstrated problem-solving mindset, with the ability to identify issues, develop solutions, and implement improvements independently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, planning, and scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and buyer responsibilities.
• Experience in production planning, creating build schedules and MRP processes.
• Experience in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Comfort working in both purchasing and planning, with an approximate 50/50 split between the two functions.
• Ability to interpret and act on KPIs and performance metrics provided by leadership.
• Personable and professional demeanor, with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships.
• Interest in career growth, with potential for future advancement into managerial roles for those who meet educational requirements.

Work Environment

This role is based 100% onsite at a regulated manufacturing facility that produces niche medical devices for ophthalmology, supplying eye care professionals with products and tools for treating dry eye and performing eye procedures. The organization operates two facilities located a few minutes apart: a corporate headquarters and a manufacturing site. The Supply Chain Specialist will primarily work in an office at the manufacturing site and will regularly walk the production floor and visit the headquarters several times per week. The position focuses mainly on active product lines, with opportunities to support new product introduction (NPI) initiatives over time. Work hours are flexible, with most of the team starting between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., provided schedules remain consistent. The role is part of a growing team that includes two relatively entry-level buyers who have been promoted from customer service and an additional operations team member, creating an environment that emphasizes internal promotion and professional development. The culture values collaboration, cross-functional communication, and problem-solving, and offers significant opportunities for growth and advancement for high-performing individuals.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Glendora, CA.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $70.00/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)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Glendora, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Glendora,CA.

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.