Production Planner Job at ZipRecruiter in Elmwood Park

Overview

Confidential Job Posting – Production Planner | Manufacturing | $75K–$95K

We are partnered with a well-established, family-owned manufacturing company based in Chicago, IL that has been a trusted leader in its industry for decades. The company is known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous investment in modern production practices. They are now seeking a Production Planner to join their growing team and play a critical role in optimizing operations.

The Opportunity

As a Production Planner, you will be the driving force behind efficient scheduling and seamless production flow. This role offers the chance to work cross-functionally with teams in engineering, procurement, sales, and quality to ensure customer commitments are met while driving process improvements across the plant.

The ideal candidate brings strong planning experience in a complex, fast-paced manufacturing environment and thrives on balancing multiple priorities with precision and strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules to maximize labor, equipment, and material utilization.
• Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly targets—proactively adjusting plans to meet business goals.
• Analyze production data, sales forecasts, and market trends to anticipate demand and support resource allocation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to address delays, shortages, or bottlenecks while implementing contingency plans.
• Support process improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
• Document and report on key performance indicators, including on-time delivery, efficiency, and inventory turnover.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of production planning experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, or similar).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and comfort working with complex data sets.
• Experience working with multi-level Bills of Material (BOMs) and the ability to read blueprints.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Strong communicator and collaborator with proven problem-solving ability in fast-paced environments.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing practices and process improvement methodologies.

Why Join?

• Competitive salary $75K–$95K, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, and more.
• Stable, family-owned company with a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation.
• Be part of a tight-knit, collaborative team that values problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to make a direct impact on efficiency, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction.

If you are an experienced production planner looking to take on a senior-level role where your expertise and leadership will be valued, this is an excellent opportunity to grow your career in a well-established yet forward-thinking manufacturing environment.