Production Planner

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Production Planner
Job Description

The Production Planner supports manufacturing operations by developing and maintaining effective production schedules, managing work orders and bills of materials, and planning inventory to meet operational demand and shelf-life requirements. This role operates in a fast-paced manufacturing and life sciences environment and works closely with operations, supply chain, manufacturing, purchasing, and customer-facing teams. The position offers significant visibility across multiple departments, strong growth potential, and the opportunity to deepen expertise in ERP/MRP systems and production planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules to support manufacturing output and on-time delivery commitments.
• Create, manage, and track work orders and bills of materials (BOMs) to ensure accurate and efficient production workflows.
• Plan and balance inventory levels to meet operational demand while minimizing overproduction, shortages, and excess stock.
• Account for product shelf life and expiration-sensitive materials in all planning and inventory decisions.
• Coordinate closely with operations, supply chain, manufacturing, purchasing, and customer-facing teams to align production plans with demand and capacity.
• Use ERP/MRP systems to manage production plans, work orders, inventory data, and scheduling activities.
• Leverage advanced Excel tools, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, to analyze data, generate reports, and support forecasting and decision-making.
• Monitor production workflows and capacity constraints, making proactive adjustments to schedules to address changes in demand or operational issues.
• Support demand planning and forecasting efforts to reduce the risk of stockouts and overproduction.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including lean manufacturing practices, to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with cross-functional partners to provide status updates, resolve issues, and ensure alignment on priorities.
• Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strong organization and attention to detail.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 3 years of production planning or manufacturing planning experience.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production workflows, scheduling, BOMs, and work orders.
• Proven experience balancing inventory levels, including managing shelf life and expiration-sensitive materials.
• Demonstrated ability to prevent overproduction and shortages through accurate planning and forecasting.
• ERP/MRP systems experience required.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and reporting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across operations, supply chain, purchasing, manufacturing, and customer teams.
• Ability to work fully onsite and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• NetSuite experience highly preferred.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or other ERP systems is acceptable and valued.
• Backgrounds in coordinator, scheduler, buyer, or purchasing roles with strong growth potential are welcome.
• Experience with inventory management, inventory control, and demand planning.
• Exposure to supply chain, purchasing, and purchase order processes.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles.
• Experience in biotechnology or life sciences manufacturing environments is a plus.
• Strong systems and process orientation, with the ability to learn and optimize new tools and workflows.
• Interest in expanding ERP and production planning expertise through company-sponsored training and development.
• Motivation to grow in a hands-on planning role within a stable, fast-paced operational environment.

Work Environment

This is a fully onsite role in a collaborative manufacturing environment within a stable, fast-paced life sciences operation. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in operations, supply chain, manufacturing, purchasing, and customer support, with frequent interaction and visibility across multiple departments. The culture emphasizes teamwork, hands-on involvement in day-to-day operations, and continuous learning. The organization offers comprehensive benefits upon conversion, including medical, dental, and vision plans starting the first of the month following hire date; a 401(k) plan with a 50% match on the first 6%; company-paid AD&D and life insurance at 2x annual salary (up to a plan maximum); and 100% company-sponsored short- and long-term disability insurance. Additional voluntary options include accident insurance, pet insurance, legal services, and ID theft protection. The paid time off program includes 20 days of PTO, 12 paid holidays, paid jury duty (up to 10 days), and paid bereavement leave. The company also provides employee assistance programs, a referral program, company-sponsored training and development opportunities, and social events that support a collaborative and engaging workplace.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $42.00/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 & 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 Newark,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 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.

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.