Manufacturing Planner

Actalent; Big Lake (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plan

Vision plan

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

EAP

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Manufacturing Planner to develop and maintain precise production schedules for an Autonomous Production Unit in a precision manufacturing setting. You will manage MRP-driven flow, adjust planning parameters, and partner across teams to ensure on-time delivery and optimized resource use.

Responsibilities include expediting orders, communicating delivery dates, and driving continuous improvement in quality, efficiency, and financial outcomes within an ISO-regulated environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in manufacturing planning or production scheduling in a precision environment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP scheduling.
• Experience in ISO-regulated or medical device manufacturing.
• LEAN or Six Sigma training applied to processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate production schedules for the APU using MRP, Kanban, and other methods.
• Release manufacturing orders, monitor progress, and expedite materials to meet ship dates.
• Identify risks to on-time delivery and elevate issues as needed.
• Communicate order delivery dates and forecasts to managers and customers.
• Report risks to sales revenue and propose resolution strategies.
• Oversee movement of product through external services to meet delivery requirements.
• Adjust MRP parameters to optimize manufacturing flow and resource use.
• Collaborate with team to improve facility utilization and product quality.
• Provide status updates on open orders and forecast changes to stakeholders.
• Monitor inventory levels to meet project and division objectives.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities aligned with LEAN principles.

Skills

MRP scheduling

ERP systems

Lean Six Sigma

SAP or similar

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Advanced degree in Supply Chain Management or Manufacturing Engineering

APICS CPIM or CIRM coursework

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Planner

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 elevate 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.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

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.

• - 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 contributions (details referenced in the summary, plan documents hold the specifics).
• - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Dependent Care FSA

Retirement & Savings: - Retirement contributions (details referenced in the summary, plan documents hold the specifics).

Spending Accounts: - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Dependent Care FSA

Workplace Type

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.