Production Planner

Job Description

Aerotek is hiring IMMEDIATELY for a Production Planner in Sussex County, DE.

Job Description

The Production Planner coordinates workflows, manages production schedules, and ensures projects move efficiently through the fabrication process. This role requires a highly organized professional with strong attention to detail, excellent memory retention, and the ability to track multiple jobs simultaneously while maintaining accurate and current information. Acting as a key communication link between operations, production teams, and leadership, the Production Planner monitors project status, identifies potential delays, and ensures priorities are clearly understood across the organization.

Success in this role relies on a thorough understanding of business and fabrication processes, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and communicate daily, weekly, and long-term production schedules based on project priorities, customer requirements, and available resources.
• Coordinate fabrication activities with project managers, shop supervisors, engineering, purchasing, and shipping departments to ensure smooth workflow.
• Analyze project requirements, material availability, labor capacity, and equipment utilization to create realistic and achievable production plans.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules as needed to address changing priorities, material shortages, equipment downtime, or customer demands.
• Ensure fabrication work orders, shop drawings, and production documentation are released to the shop in a timely and accurate manner.
• Track project status and production metrics to support on-time delivery and efficient workflow throughout the fabrication process.
• Collaborate with purchasing personnel to confirm required materials are available to support scheduled production activities.
• Identify production bottlenecks and recommend solutions to improve efficiency, throughput, and resource utilization.
• Participate in production meetings and provide clear updates on scheduling, workload, and project status.
• Maintain accurate production records, schedules, and reporting within ERP, MRP, or other manufacturing management systems.
• Work closely with fabrication supervisors to balance shop workloads across departments and work centers.
• Coordinate with transportation and logistics personnel to ensure timely shipment of completed products.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, and overall operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with company safety, quality, and operational standards in all planning and scheduling activities.
• Assist management with capacity planning, forecasting, and labor utilization analysis to support long‑term operational goals.
• Spend time in the fabrication shop environment to observe processes, understand constraints, and attend production meetings.
• Walk throughout the manufacturing facility as needed to gather information and verify production status.

Essential Skills

• Ideally at least 3 years of experience in production planning, manufacturing scheduling, operations coordination, or a closely related role.
• Experience in structural steel fabrication, metal manufacturing, or construction-related industries strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, shop workflow, and production scheduling principles.
• Proficiency with ERP, MRP, or other manufacturing planning and management software systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, bills of materials, and production documentation.
• Strong analytical…