Production Planner

Actalent is seeking a Production Planner to monitor and optimize the flow of materials and products through the factory, ensuring efficient, on-time production.

About the role

This role plans and blocks vehicles based on production inputs, supports factory steering by configuring production systems, and conducts failure analyses to determine containment actions and long-term countermeasures. The Production Planner collaborates closely with supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing teams to maintain stable operations and continuously improve production processes.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor the factory production flow and ensure an optimal and efficient sequence of operations.
• Plan, schedule, and block vehicles based on production inputs, capacity constraints, and customer requirements.
• Support factory steering by setting up and modifying parameters in production systems such as iPortal, including shift schedules and target values.
• Conduct failure analyses to identify root causes of production issues and define appropriate containment actions.
• Develop and implement countermeasures to prevent recurrence of production problems and improve process stability.
• Coordinate closely with production, logistics, and supply chain teams to align material availability, capacity, and scheduling.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date production plans, schedules, and system parameters in all relevant tools.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to production planning and take proactive actions to address deviations.
• Prepare and deliver reports and presentations on production status, risks, and improvement measures to management and staff.
• Participate in or lead projects focused on process planning, production optimization, and continuous improvement within the manufacturing environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that planning decisions support overall business objectives and customer commitments.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of relevant professional experience in a logistics-oriented environment within a manufacturing setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in production planning, factory planning, or supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to support factory steering by setting up and modifying parameters of production systems, including tools such as iPortal (e.g., shift schedules and target values).
• Demonstrated experience conducting failure analyses and defining containment actions and countermeasures.
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics or a related Engineering field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Strong project management and process planning experience, with an emphasis on structured planning and execution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management and staff.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Team-oriented mindset with strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding planning, organizational, and proactive problem-solving abilities.

Skills

• Experience working with production scheduling tools and systems such as iPortal or similar manufacturing planning platforms.
• Experience in logistics or industrial engineering with exposure to factory steering and production system configuration.
• Experience in process planning and continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to analyze production data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to enhance throughput and stability.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams that include production, logistics, supply chain, and management stakeholders.
• Capability to prepare clear reports and presentations to summarize production performance, issues, and improvement actions.

Work Environment

This role operates within a manufacturing environment where production lines, machinery, and material flows must be coordinated and monitored closely. The position involves frequent interaction with production, logistics, and supply chain teams on the factory floor and in office settings. Work typically includes using production planning systems (such as iPortal) and standard office software, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, to manage schedules, parameters, and reports. The environment emphasizes structured planning, proactive problem-solving, and collaboration to maintain stable and efficient operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a contract, fully onsite position based in Ladson, SC.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $50.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 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)