Production Planner

Aston Carter•Glendora, CA

10d•$35 - $70•Onsite

About The Position

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. The role oversees multiple product lines from purchasing through finished-goods inventory and works with vendors, sales, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing to optimize material flow and support business growth. It emphasizes production planning, long-term forecasting, and data-driven decision-making, while contributing to cross-functional initiatives and strategic projects. The position owns planning and execution of the manufacturing process, including production schedules, capacity and material alignment, and coordination with contract manufacturers. It supports active product lines and may contribute to new product introduction activities over time. The role also provides guidance to two entry-level buyers and operations staff and offers potential for career growth. The position is based fully onsite at a regulated medical-device manufacturing facility in Glendora, California. The employee primarily works in an office at the manufacturing site, regularly visits the production floor, and visits the nearby headquarters several times a week. Work hours are flexible, with most of the team starting between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., provided schedules remain consistent. This is a contract-to-hire position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of production planning experience; experience may be combined with material planning and procurement, but production planning must be the primary focus.
5–10 years of supply-chain experience, including buying and planning responsibilities.
Experience building and managing production schedules and owning the full manufacturing planning and execution cycle.
Manufacturing experience in a regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, or aerospace.
Strong ERP knowledge; experience with JDE or a similar platform is acceptable.
Proficiency in resource planning and MRP in a manufacturing setting.
Experience with 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.
Experience aligning manufacturing schedules with demand, capacity, and material availability.
Experience working with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Problem-solving ability, including independently identifying issues, developing solutions, and implementing improvements.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Oversee multiple product lines from procurement through finished-goods inventory, ensuring materials and products are available for customer demand and production requirements.
Develop material purchase plans based on sales forecasts, customer demand, and long-term business projections, emphasizing production planning.
Analyze inventory usage, scrap, and waste and recommend improvements to inventory flow, excess and obsolescence, and continuous improvement efforts.
Develop strategies for managing supply fluctuations, shortages, logistics delays, engineering changes, and order adjustments while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
Coordinate material movements between storage areas, contract manufacturers, and external suppliers.
Recommend product-line projects and approaches, 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 stakeholders.
Work with third-party logistics providers to ensure trade-compliance documentation and certifications are in place for imports and exports.
Lead supplier sourcing and negotiations to secure favorable terms, reliable supply, and strong supplier relationships.
Own manufacturing planning and execution, including building and managing production schedules and aligning resources with demand.
Align production plans and schedules with capacity, materials, and labor availability.
Maintain and use ERP and MRP systems for purchasing, planning, and supply-chain management, ensuring accurate data and effective system use.
Use Excel and analytical tools for long-term forecasting, demand planning, and performance tracking.
Work with sales, customer service, engineering, production, and operations to align plans with business needs and resolve issues.
Coordinate with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) on production schedules, material supply, and delivery expectations.
Support active product lines and contribute to new product introduction activities from a planning and supply-chain perspective over time.
Provide guidance and support as a subject matter expert to two entry-level buyers and operations staff.
Focus on leadership-defined KPIs, proactively identify problems, and propose solutions before escalation.