Buyer/planner

Job Title: Planner

Job Description

The Planner develops and maintains production schedules that align customer orders, forecasts, and safety stock levels with available capacity and materials. This role monitors inventory, coordinates closely with production, sourcing, planning, and warehouse teams, and uses ERP/MRP systems to keep production and inventory data accurate and current. The Planner proactively identifies supply chain risks, recommends process improvements, and ensures timely material flow from manufacturing to distribution and work centers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules based on customer orders, demand forecasts, and safety stock requirements.

• Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock situations, adjusting plans as needed to maintain optimal inventory.

• Coordinate daily with Production, Planning, Sourcing, and Warehouse teams to ensure product availability and on-time order fulfillment.

• Use ERP/MRP systems to input, update, and validate production, inventory, and order data to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

• Track progress on work orders, identify delays or constraints, and adjust production plans to meet delivery commitments.

• Maintain accurate records of inventory, shipments, and distribution activities to support traceability and reporting.

• Monitor for potential supply chain disruptions, analyze impact, and propose practical solutions or contingency plans.

• Identify and recommend process improvement opportunities in planning, scheduling, and material flow.

• Maintain Distribution Order dating to optimize material flow from Manufacturing to the Distribution Center.

• Support operations by ensuring on-time delivery of materials to work centers to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.

Essential Skills

• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing planning role.

• Hands-on experience with production planning and schedule planning in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong background in inventory management, including managing safety stock, stockouts, and overstock situations.

• Proficiency with ERP and MRP systems for production and inventory planning.

• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Experience using SQL for data analysis and reporting.

• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.

• Familiarity with ERP and MES systems such as SAP, Oracle, M3, or similar platforms.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.

• Knowledge of Six Sigma principles.

• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a materials planning or supply chain planning function within a manufacturing setting.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with production, sourcing, planning, and warehouse teams.

• Experience maintaining accurate records of inventory, shipments, and distribution activities.

• Experience in identifying and implementing process improvement ideas related to planning and material flow.

• Comfort working with and learning different ERP and MES platforms, including SAP, Oracle, and M3.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $36.00/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 Solon,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 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 (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.