As a Production Planner at Aston Carter, your day-to-day responsibilities will include preparing and updating daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules, participating in daily production meetings, and communicating with team members to address any material shortages or scheduling conflicts. You will also ensure the accurate release of assigned production orders and coordinate action plans to meet customer requirements effectively.

To be considered for the Production Planner role at Aston Carter, you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years of production planning experience. Familiarity with MRP systems and ISO procedures is beneficial, alongside a strong proficiency in Windows, Excel, and Word. Excellent communication and multitasking abilities are also essential for succeeding in this role.

As a Production Planner at Aston Carter, you will work in a fully onsite environment in Oakdale, Minnesota. The work setup typically includes quiet areas as well as some areas that may be louder at times. The office features an open cubicle setting, which promotes collaboration and communication among the small team, consisting of three individuals.

The hiring process for the Production Planner position at Aston Carter typically includes submitting your application, participating in an initial phone interview, and then moving on to a series of in-person interviews with key team members. The entire process is designed to assess your skills, experience, and compatibility with the company's values and team dynamics.

As a Production Planner at Aston Carter, there is potential for career advancement within the company, especially if you demonstrate strong performance and contribute positively to the team. With a focus on professional development and training, you could advance to higher roles within supply chain management or even broader operational responsibilities.

When prioritizing production schedules, it’s essential to analyze the urgency and importance of each order. I focus on customer requirements and delivery commitments, reviewing deadlines and resource availability to establish an effective sequence that ensures efficient workflows.

I have extensive experience working with MRP systems, particularly in managing inventory levels and scheduling production. I use these systems to analyze demand forecasts and create precise production schedules in alignment with customer needs.

Effective communication is critical during schedule changes. I prefer to notify production teams immediately, offering clear explanations for any adjustments and collaborating on new plans to ensure everyone is informed and aligned towards meeting our goals.

I employ a proactive approach by identifying potential issues early in the planning process. I collaborate with key stakeholders, including materials and purchasing teams, to analyze supply chain challenges and implement solutions that keep our production on track.

In a fast-paced environment, I manage my time by setting clear priorities and using a task management system to keep track of deadlines and responsibilities. I regularly assess my progress and adjust my plans as needed to maintain productivity.

In my previous role, we faced a sudden material shortage which threatened production schedules. I quickly coordinated with suppliers and the purchasing team to expedite shipping, while adjusting the production schedule to minimize delays, ultimately meeting our commitments to customers.

Teamwork is vital in my approach as a Production Planner. I believe that collaboration fosters innovative solutions, helps address challenges more effectively, and ensures we’re all moving towards common goals while maintaining a positive work environment.

I ensure accuracy in production schedules by double-checking all the data entered into the system, regularly communicating with the production team to confirm progress, and making adjustments based on real-time performance against the plan.

One of the biggest challenges is dealing with unexpected changes in demand or supply constraints. I tackle these challenges by staying flexible and quick to adapt while maintaining open communication with all team members to navigate issues effectively.

I am motivated by the challenge of optimizing production processes and contributing to the overall success of the organization. The satisfaction of meeting customer demands and seeing the tangible results of my planning efforts keeps me engaged and driven.