Title Manufacturing Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Manufacturing Planner

Job Description

The APU Manufacturing Planner develops and maintains accurate production schedules for an Autonomous Production Unit (APU) within a precision manufacturing environment. This role oversees the flow of work within the assigned area, identifies and mitigates risks to on-time delivery, and ensures customer order promise dates and planned shipment dates are consistently met. The planner manages day-to-day product movement through outside services, monitors and adjusts MRP scheduling parameters to optimize manufacturing flow, and supports continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate production schedules for the assigned APU using appropriate ordering strategies such as MRP, Kanban, and other planning methods.
• Release manufacturing orders, monitor production progress, and expedite the flow of materials and orders to ensure committed ship dates are consistently achieved.
• Understand the flow of work within the assigned area to identify, resolve, or escalate risks associated with meeting on-time delivery commitments.
• Accurately communicate customer order promise delivery dates and planned shipment dates to ensure backlog and financial shipping projections remain current and reliable.
• Report risks associated with sales revenue and create recommendations for resolution, working collaboratively to deploy risk reduction plans that support shipment goals.
• Manage day-to-day movement of product through outside services to meet on-time customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor and adjust MRP scheduling parameters to optimize manufacturing flow and support efficient use of resources.
• Collaborate with APU team members to develop tools and procedures that maximize facility and equipment utilization, improve product quality, and drive process improvements.
• Communicate the status of open orders and changes in forecasts or other demand to project managers, master schedulers, and customers as needed.
• Assist in managing inventory levels by monitoring assigned inventory items to ensure both project-specific and broader division objectives are met.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and initiate efforts that support LEAN principles, including deployment of alternate and optimized planning methods within the ERP or MRP systems.
• Engage in effective cross-functional collaboration to resolve current or potential scheduling, capacity, or supply chain issues impacting delivery performance.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in manufacturing planning or production scheduling within a precision machine or manufacturing shop environment.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing planning using ERP systems, including MRP and schedule planning functionality.
• Work history in an ISO-regulated or medical device manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, supply chain processes, and planning/scheduling methodologies.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, including SAP or similar platforms, for planning and scheduling activities.
• Understanding of LEAN manufacturing principles and Lean Six Sigma methodologies as applied to production and planning.
• Familiarity with MRP processes and the ability to monitor and adjust MRP parameters to optimize manufacturing flow.
• Ability to accurately communicate order delivery and shipment dates and maintain reliable backlog and shipping projections.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making in a manufacturing context.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills to work with project managers, schedulers, customers, and cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a precision machine shop environment, particularly in regulated or medical device manufacturing.
• Experience working within an ISO-certified or medical device environment.
• Formal LEAN or Six Sigma training with demonstrated application in process improvement initiatives.
• APICS coursework toward CPIM or CIRM certification.
• Advanced education in Supply Chain Management or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Advanced education or job experience focused on data-based problem identification, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt certification with at least 2 years of work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of planning tools and procedures that support facility and equipment utilization and quality improvement.
• Interest in continuous learning and professional development in manufacturing planning, ERP optimization, and supply chain management.

This is a Permanent position based out of Big Lake, MN.

The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $105000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health & Insurance Benefits:- Medical plans = company contributes a generous portion of the premium cost.- Dental plan = employer‑supported.- Voluntary vision plan = low‑cost, employee‑elected.- Basic Life Insurance = 100% employer‑paid.- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) = 100% employer‑paid.- Short‑term disability = 100% employer‑paid.- Long‑term disability = 100% employer‑paid.- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) = 100% employer‑paid.Retirement & Savings:- Retirement contributions (details referenced in the summary, plan documents hold the specifics).Spending Accounts:- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)- Dependent Care FSA

This is a fully onsite position in Big Lake,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

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