Job Description
Job DescriptionProduction Planning Lead – High Mix / Constrained Manufacturing
Location: Carlsbad, CA (Onsite)
About the Role
We are seeking a Production Planning Lead to architect and own our planning and scheduling system in a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing environment. This is not a maintenance role—you will design how the business plans, prioritizes, and executes in the face of variability, constrained capacity, and imperfect data.
You will play a critical role in shaping production strategy, acting as the single source of truth for production commitments, and driving decisions that directly impact delivery performance, capacity investments, and operational scalability.
This role reports to senior operations leadership and offers high visibility, ownership, and influence across the organization.
What You’ll DoPlanning System Ownership & Design
- Build and own a constraint-driven planning model across all production activities
- Translate demand, engineering readiness, and material availability into realistic, capacity-based schedules
- Establish routing structures, standard times, and capacity assumptions within ERP (Epicor or similar)
Constraint & Capacity Management
- Identify, prioritize, and actively manage system bottlenecks and shared resources
- Evaluate true system capacity and provide data-driven recommendations for headcount, equipment, and process changes
- Balance trade-offs between utilization, lead time, and WIP to optimize throughput
Scenario Planning & Decision Support
- Develop scenario-based planning tools to answer key questions on delivery commitments, capacity, and growth planning
- Challenge and refine ERP planning logic to better reflect real-world constraints
- Make disciplined decisions on when to adjust schedules vs. maintain stability
Execution & Visibility
- Design and enforce schedule stability rules (frozen windows, exception-based changes)
- Monitor performance metrics including OTD, utilization, WIP, cycle time, and throughput
- Build dashboards using Excel, Power BI, and SQL-based tools
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with engineering and operations to improve release readiness and planning accuracy
- Enable scalable processes for NPI and low-volume production
- Communicate trade-offs clearly, balancing customer urgency with operational reality
What You BringCore Experience
- Proven success in high-mix, low-volume or job shop manufacturing (e.g., semiconductor, photonics, aerospace, medical devices)
- Strong expertise in capacity planning and constraint management
- Experience working with imperfect or evolving data in fast-paced environments
- Deep understanding of routing structures and standard time development
Technical & Analytical Skills
- Advanced Excel skills (modeling, scenario planning, analytics)
- Experience with Power BI, SQL, or similar tools
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems (Epicor, SAP, NetSuite, etc.)
- Ability to challenge system outputs and apply independent planning logic
Operating Style
- Comfortable building processes from scratch in ambiguous environments
- Strong systems thinker with the ability to balance competing constraints
- Clear communicator who can translate complexity into actionable insights
- Track record of reducing firefighting and schedule volatility
Preferred Qualifications
- APICS / ASCM CPIM certification
- Experience with Theory of Constraints (TOC) or similar methodologies
- Direct experience with Epicor ERP
- Background in engineer-to-order or consigned material environments
Work Environment
- Fully onsite in Carlsbad, CA
- High-mix, low-volume, job shop manufacturing environment supporting NPI and precision production
- Frequent interaction with shop floor, engineering, and leadership teams
- Tools include Epicor (or similar ERP), Excel, Power BI, and SQL analytics
Why This Role
- High ownership—design the planning system from the ground up
- Direct visibility to COO and operations leadership
- Real authority over production commitments and capacity decisions
- Opportunity to drive measurable improvements in delivery, efficiency, and scalability
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Carlsbad, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
Palomar benefits, drug and background required upon offer
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Carlsbad,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
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.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
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.