Inventory Planner

Aston Carter•Kirkland, WA

2d•$26 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Inventory Planner supports a high-mix, low-volume production environment by managing cycle counts and driving a kitting program. The role receives material bags from warehouses, verifies components, issues work orders, checks sub-assemblies, and organizes components into clearly labeled shadow boxes. The Inventory Planner works with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians to keep materials accurate, available, and properly documented. This position suits a curious, self-directed professional who can work in an ambiguous, start-up-style environment and help build and improve inventory and production processes. It includes significant time on the production floor and opportunities to move into different areas based on skills and career goals. The schedule rotates across front-half and back-half day and night shifts. Day shifts typically run from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and night shifts from 5:00 PM to 3:30 AM. Training and onboarding take approximately one to three weeks, Monday through Friday during standard business hours, regardless of the assigned shift.

Requirements

At least 1 year of experience, with flexibility on experience, in materials control, inventory, fulfillment, production, manufacturing, customer service, or retail.
Experience working on or directly supporting a high-mix, low-volume production floor.
Ability to work effectively with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
Strong attention to detail and ability to spot discrepancies and maintain accurate records.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to investigate issues in depth.
Comfort working in an ambiguous, start-up-style environment and adapting to change.
High ownership, initiative, and bias for action; willingness to help where needed.
Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to take initiative without constant supervision.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods.
Basic to intermediate computer skills, including Excel experience.
Ability to maintain a stable work history without frequent short-term roles.

Nice To Haves

Experience in warehouse, production, fulfillment center, or manufacturing environments.
Experience in materials control, inventory management, or related operations.
Customer service or retail experience demonstrating communication and problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with SAP, ERP, MES, or MRP systems.
Ability to use Excel to create forms and reports and to parse and analyze data.
Interest in and openness to using AI tools to build or enhance processes and workflows.
Curiosity and desire to learn new systems, tools, and processes quickly.
Comfort working in a start-up phase where processes are still being built and refined.
Desire for growth and flexibility to move into different areas based on skills and career goals.

Responsibilities

Manage and execute cycle counting to maintain accurate inventory records and support production needs.
Receive material bags from warehouses and verify that all required components are present and correct.
Issue work orders accurately and on time, ensuring materials and sub-assemblies are tracked and documented.
Inspect sub-assemblies for accuracy, completeness, and quality before placing them in shadow boxes.
Organize, label, and maintain shadow boxes so technicians can identify and access components.
Work on the production floor and collaborate with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
Navigate across functional teams to resolve material, kitting, and inventory discrepancy issues.
Identify problems in material flow, inventory accuracy, and kitting processes, and propose practical solutions.
Use attention to detail to prevent and correct errors in work orders, inventory counts, and sub-assembly documentation.
Use computer and Excel skills to create forms, track data, and parse and analyze inventory and production information.
Begin using AI tools to build and improve inventory- and kitting-related processes, reports, or data workflows.
Investigate issues, identify root causes, and drive continuous improvement in materials control and fulfillment.
Adapt to changing priorities and help wherever needed in an ambiguous, start-up-style environment.
Proactively address process gaps and follow tasks through to completion.
Communicate clearly and professionally with cross-functional partners verbally and in writing.
Stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods to monitor inventory and support technicians.
Participate in onboarding, including facility tours, MES system introductions, and hands-on training.
Follow established procedures and contribute to a safe, organized, and efficient warehouse-like environment.