Production Planner

Job Title: Production Planner

Job Description

The Production Planner coordinates and optimizes production planning processes to ensure products are manufactured efficiently, on schedule, and in alignment with customer demand. This role reviews forecasts and orders, analyzes plant capacity, and collaborates closely with sales, purchasing, and manufacturing teams to maintain production flow and material availability. The Production Planner supports leadership with data-driven planning, helps implement engineering changes and new products into the production schedule, and contributes fresh ideas to continuously improve planning effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Review sales forecasts and customer order demands to establish the sequence and lead time of each operation and verify the accuracy of the master production schedule.
• Analyze plant capacity data and production specifications, performing mathematical calculations to determine labor and material requirements needed to meet production timelines.
• Coordinate closely with the sales department and plant supervisors to maintain plan efficiency, schedule adherence, and on-time delivery to customers.
• Review and approve engineering changes and new product implementations for feasibility, integrating them into the production plan and schedule for execution.
• Expedite required purchased materials to ensure the production schedule is maintained and to address unforeseen conditions or disruptions.
• Work closely with the purchasing department to ensure a steady, reliable flow of materials that supports continuous production.
• Support manufacturing operations with accurate, data-driven production plans that align capacity, materials, and customer requirements.
• Monitor production flow and adjust schedules as needed to optimize efficiency and respond to changing priorities or constraints.
• Use ERP and spreadsheet tools to create, maintain, and update production schedules and related planning data.
• Collaborate across departments to resolve scheduling conflicts, material shortages, and capacity constraints in a timely manner.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders regarding schedule status, changes, risks, and required actions.
• Contribute new ideas and improvements to production planning processes, tools, and reporting.
  
  

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2 years of production planning experience.
• Demonstrated experience in production planning, including sequencing operations and managing lead times.
• Experience with Sage 100 ERP.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel with exceptional spreadsheet and data analysis skills.
• Solid Microsoft Office skills and the ability to learn and work within ERP systems.
• Previous experience scheduling approximately 1,000 SKUs or a similarly high SKU environment.
• Complex scheduling skills, including planning and coordinating multiple components within a finished product.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, blueprints, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, with a data-driven approach to planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting procurement, distribution, or supply chain functions in a manufacturing environment.
• Background in automotive, remanufacturing, or component-based production environments.
• Familiarity with supply chain concepts such as material requirements planning and capacity planning.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement in planning processes and tools.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing large volumes of SKUs and components.
  
  

Work Environment

This role operates within a manufacturing and remanufacturing environment focused on automotive steering systems and components. The Production Planner works closely with production, purchasing, sales, and engineering teams, spending most of the time in an office or planning area using ERP systems such as Sage 100 and Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, to manage schedules and data. The position involves frequent interaction with plant supervisors and operations staff to understand capacity, material status, and production constraints. The work environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, requiring comfort with shifting priorities and occasional pressure to meet urgent customer demands while maintaining accuracy and organization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Twinsburg, OH.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $30.00/hr.

Requirements

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 Twinsburg,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 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® double diamond 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.