Production Planner

Job Title: Production PlannerJob Description

The Production Planner supports efficient manufacturing operations by developing production schedules, coordinating material availability, and aligning capacity with customer demand. This role analyzes production specifications, prepares work orders, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth material flow, balanced workloads, and on-time delivery. Working directly on the warehouse floor around heavy machinery, the Production Planner helps optimize resources, respond to changing priorities, and maintain accurate planning data to support reliable and flexible production performance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production specifications to determine appropriate manufacturing processes, tools, and personnel requirements.
• Ensure material flow and production activities are aligned with demand and capacity constraints.
• Prepare, issue, and maintain work orders to support daily production operations.
• Recommend schedule changes when necessary due to material or labor shortages, design changes, or production backlogs.
• Use Job BOSS, ERP, or other software-generated reports to update and maintain the capacity cutoff calendar.
• Collaborate with Sales and Materials teams to generate accurate demand forecasts and adjust production plans based on forecast changes.
• Coordinate with Customer Service and Materials teams to align production schedules with order intake for both regular and rush jobs.
• Work closely with Programming and Operations teams to plan jobs across various machines, prioritizing orders based on lead time, capacity, and customer requirements.
• Balance production loads across machines and resources to optimize throughput and minimize bottlenecks.
• Assess manpower, machine, and material availability to improve production efficiency and schedule reliability.
• Reassign or reschedule workloads in response to scheduled maintenance, machine breakdowns, or other disruptions.
• Create, verify, and arrange the transfer of material pick orders for each machine to support scheduled work.
• Maintain clear visibility of order flow and proactively identify and flag potential delays, such as material stockouts, overutilized machines, or tooling issues.
• Maintain and update the daily Delivery Schedule report to ensure alignment between actual production and the planned schedule.
• Respond to expedite requests by adjusting priorities and rescheduling tasks to meet urgent order requirements.
• Coordinate with Production, Procurement, and Shipping teams to execute expedited orders efficiently and on time.
• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to ensure timely release of PPAPs, as applicable, in support of new or modified products.
• Perform tasks and duties associated with product manufacture planning, including producing production schedules, materials lists, and comprehensive production plans.
• Apply production planning, production scheduling, supply chain, inventory management, purchasing, and planning scheduling concepts to daily operations.
• Meet defined employee attributes and competencies while contributing to a safe, efficient, and collaborative work environment.

Essential Skills

• Zero (0) to 3 years of experience in a production planning or scheduling role within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, as applicable to production planning.
• Knowledge of the different processes involved in manufacturing parts and components.
• Ability to create, interpret, and use reports to support production planning decisions.
• Basic math and reading skills typically obtained through a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency with computers and common business software applications.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with plant leadership, sales staff, and warehouse personnel.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey plans, changes, and requirements clearly.
• Ability to understand production equipment and tolerances to ensure realistic and accurate planning.
• Familiarity with production planning, production scheduling, supply chain, ERP, SAP, inventory, schedule planning, purchasing, and inventory management concepts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, with experience using Job BOSS and SAP considered a plus.
• Strong organizational skills to manage schedules, priorities, and documentation effectively.
• Analytical skills to evaluate data, identify trends, and make informed planning decisions.
• Proactive problem-solving mindset to anticipate issues and implement effective solutions.
• Experience working directly in a manufacturing or warehouse environment around heavy machinery is beneficial.

Work Environment

This role is based on the warehouse floor within a manufacturing environment and involves working on or around heavy machinery. The Production Planner works closely with Production, Programming, Operations, Materials, Procurement, Shipping, Sales, Customer Service, Quality, and Engineering teams to coordinate schedules and ensure smooth operations. The position requires frequent interaction with ERP/MRP systems and planning tools, including Job BOSS and SAP, as well as the use of computer-based reports and capacity planning calendars. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with changing priorities, rush orders, and occasional equipment or material constraints that require quick and thoughtful adjustments to the production plan. Safety awareness and adherence to facility procedures are essential due to the presence of heavy equipment and active warehouse operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Cleveland, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55000.00 - $75000.00/yr.

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.

We offer competitive company benefits to eligible positions, such as: Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Life Insurance and Disability Voluntary Wellness Programs 401(k) or RRSP programs with Company Match Paid Vacation and Holidays Tuition Reimbursement And more!

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.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.