Manufacturing Planner & Scheduler II

Production Planner Position Summary We are seeking a detail-oriented Production Planner to support daily manufacturing operations by developing and managing production schedules, monitoring material availability, and ensuring customer demand is met efficiently. This role works cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to identify and mitigate supply risks, maintain ERP system accuracy, and drive production schedule adherence. The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, and thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a fully onsite position with a standard Monday-Friday schedule and offers strong long-term growth opportunities within a global industry-leading organization. Key Responsibilities Develop, maintain, and communicate production schedules to support customer demand and operational objectives.Monitor material availability and coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to prevent production disruptions.Partner with Production, Quality, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely order fulfillment and schedule adherence.Analyze production capacity, inventory levels, and demand requirements to optimize manufacturing output.Identify potential supply chain risks and proactively implement corrective actions.Maintain accurate planning data within ERP/MRP systems.Track key production metrics and provide reporting to support operational decision-making.Conduct root cause analysis on scheduling, inventory, and supply-related issues and implement sustainable solutions.Support inventory optimization initiatives while balancing customer service and production requirements.Participate in continuous improvement efforts, including Lean Manufacturing initiatives and process enhancements. Qualifications Required Education Bachelor's degree in:Supply Chain ManagementOperations ManagementBusinessEngineeringFinanceOr a related field Required Experience 3+ years of experience in Production Planning, Supply Chain, or a related role within a manufacturing environment.Experience developing and managing production schedules.Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve material and production issues. Required Skills Production planning and schedulingSupplier managementERP/MRP systems experienceAdvanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reportingStrong analytical and problem-solving abilitiesInventory management and optimizationRoot cause analysisAbility to make sound business decisions in a fast-paced environmentStrong communication and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications Experience with JD Edwards ERP.APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent).Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience Level Intermediate Level Why Join Us? Opportunity to work for a global industry leader.Collaborative and team-oriented manufacturing environment.Career growth and advancement opportunities.Stable Monday-Friday onsite schedule.For QUALIFIED candidates only** for immediate consideration, please use this link to schedule a virtual employment screen for this role: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/i8y8SJbY Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Meriden, CT. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/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 Meriden,CT. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.