Production Planner

We are looking for a Production Planner to support a growing manufacturing operation in Franklin Park, Illinois. This contract opportunity with potential for a permanent role is ideal for someone who can balance daily production priorities, coordinate across multiple departments, and keep schedules moving in a fast-paced environment. The person in this role will help organize high-volume work orders, respond quickly to shifting shop floor conditions, and use planning data to improve output and efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain production schedules that align labor, machine capacity, materials, and delivery targets.
• Review a high volume of line items each day and adjust priorities to keep manufacturing activities on track.
• Partner closely with purchasing, operations, machine operators, and plant leadership to coordinate production timing and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Monitor shop floor activity and quickly revise plans when equipment issues, urgent orders, or other disruptions affect output.
• Use planning systems and Excel-based reporting to track key performance indicators and evaluate production results.
• Sequence work in a way that supports efficient machine usage and minimizes unnecessary downtime or changeover disruption.
• Translate demand and order requirements into clear daily and short-term production plans for the team.
• Support ongoing planning processes as the operation expands capacity and adds additional shift coverage.
• 2+ years of experience in production planning, supply chain planning, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Background in manufacturing with a practical understanding of how parts are produced and routed through operations.
• Strong ability to communicate with cross-functional teams and keep multiple stakeholders aligned on priorities.
• Experience working under pressure and making real-time schedule adjustments in response to changing production conditions.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP/planning systems; exposure to more than one platform is a plus.
• Proficiency with Excel for tracking metrics, analyzing production data, and supporting planning decisions.
• Ability to manage numerous open items at once while maintaining accuracy, organization, and follow-through.