Mission of the Role

The Production Planner develops and manages data-driven production schedules that align customer demand, material availability, labor, and manufacturing capacity across Clear Align's optical fabrication and coating operations. Working closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management, this role improves schedule predictability, supports on-time delivery, and strengthens the planning processes that will enable Clear Align's next phase of growth.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex planning challenges, using data to drive decisions, and building scalable planning systems. Beyond managing today's production schedules, the successful candidate will help strengthen master planning, planning analytics, capacity planning, and operational processes that support the future growth of the organization.

What You'll Accomplish in Your First Year

First 90 Days

• Learn Clear Align's manufacturing workflows, ERP/MRP systems, routing structures, work centers, and planning processes.
• Build strong working relationships across Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
• Manage work orders, monitor material readiness, and support daily production scheduling while developing an understanding of production constraints.

By 6 Months

• Own daily and longer-range production schedules, balancing customer demand, material availability, labor, and manufacturing capacity.
• Identify and resolve schedule constraints before they impact production or customer commitments.
• Develop meaningful reporting and analytics that improve visibility into schedule performance, backlog, capacity, shortages, and delivery risk.
• Support SIOP activities and drive continuous improvements that increase planning efficiency and schedule accuracy.

By 12 Months

• Become a trusted planning resource supporting master scheduling, capacity planning, and operational decision-making.
• Provide leadership with actionable planning analytics using ERP data, Excel, Power BI, or similar reporting tools.
• Lead initiatives that improve planning discipline, manufacturing flow, and scalability while helping build the foundation for Clear Align's future planning organization.

How You Know You're Winning

• Production schedules consistently support customer commitments and on-time delivery.
• Risks, shortages, and capacity constraints are identified early and proactively addressed.
• Planning reports provide leadership with accurate, timely information for operational decisions.
• Manufacturing teams experience improved schedule stability, visibility, and execution.
• Planning processes continue to mature, becoming more scalable, predictable, and data-driven.

Core Strengths

• Strategic planner with strong master scheduling and capacity planning skills.
• Data-driven analyst who enjoys solving complex operational problems.
• Collaborative communicator who builds strong cross-functional relationships.
• Process builder with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Emerging leader capable of influencing others and supporting organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of related experience, graduate degree with 4+ years, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in production planning, master scheduling, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong ERP/MRP experience; Visual ERP preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills required; Power BI or similar reporting tools preferred.
• Experience with inventory planning, work orders, material planning, and capacity planning.
• APICS certification and experience in optical, aerospace, or defense manufacturing are a plus.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person.

Growth Opportunity

This role is designed to grow with the business. As Clear Align expands, the Production Planner will play an increasingly important role in developing master planning capabilities, planning analytics, SIOP processes, and scalable operational systems. For an individual who demonstrates strong performance, leadership, and a passion for building capability, this position offers a natural path toward a future Planning Manager role.

Why Clear Align

At Clear Align, you'll do more than build production schedules—you'll help build the planning capabilities that support a growing precision optics manufacturer serving the aerospace and defense industries. Your work will directly influence manufacturing performance, customer satisfaction, and the operational foundation needed to scale the business.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Production Planning: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: In person