Inventory planner

The Inventory Planner plays a key role in the cycle counting process and in supporting a new kitting program that ensures technicians receive complete and accurate materials for builds. This role focuses on receiving material bags from warehouses, issuing work orders, verifying subassemblies, and organizing components into clearly labeled shadow boxes. You will work in a dynamic, highly ambiguous start-up environment where you help build and refine processes while supporting a high-mix, low-volume production floor. Depending on your strengths and career goals, you will have significant opportunities to move across different functional areas and contribute to building an exciting, evolving operation.

Responsibilities

• Execute and manage the cycle counting process to ensure accurate inventory levels and reliable material availability.
• Receive bags of materials from warehouses and verify that all components required for technicians’ builds are present and correct.
• Issue work orders accurately and in a timely manner to support production schedules and technician needs.
• Verify the accuracy of subassemblies, ensuring they meet specifications before they move into production.
• Organize and place verified components and subassemblies into shadow boxes to create clear, visual kits for technicians.
• Support a high-mix, low-volume production floor by coordinating with material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
• Navigate effectively between different stakeholders, gathering information and resolving issues related to materials, kitting, and inventory.
• Use computer systems, including ERP, SAP, MES, and MRP tools where applicable, to track inventory, work orders, and production-related data.
• Leverage Excel and other tools to create new forms, develop better ways to parse and analyze data, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Begin to explore and utilize AI tools to build or enhance processes, reports, or workflows that improve inventory and production support.
• Maintain high attention to detail when handling materials, documenting work, and verifying counts and subassemblies.
• Identify and troubleshoot discrepancies or issues in inventory, kitting, or production support, and drive them to resolution.
• Work proactively in a start-up environment, taking initiative to improve processes and “build the plane while flying it.”
• Demonstrate a high level of ownership and bias for action by stepping in wherever help is needed on the production floor or in related functions.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members and cross-functional partners in both verbal and written formats.
• Support a safe and organized warehouse and production environment by following established procedures and contributing to process improvements.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of experience in a relevant field, with flexibility depending on overall fit and potential.
• Experience working on or directly supporting a high-mix, low-volume production floor.
• Ability to navigate effectively between material handlers, planners, engineers, and production technicians.
• High attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills when dealing with inventory, kitting, and production issues.
• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfort working in a highly ambiguous, start-up environment where processes are still being built and refined.

Work Environment

This role is based in a warehouse and production-floor setting with strong similarities to a fulfillment or manufacturing environment. You will spend significant time on the floor, standing and walking for extended periods while working closely with technicians, material handlers, planners, and engineers. The schedule follows a combination of front-half and back-half day and night shifts. Day shifts typically run from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM with lunch at 11:00 AM. Night shifts typically run from 5:00 PM to 3:30 AM with lunch around 10:00 PM. Front-half schedules generally cover Sunday through Wednesday, while back-half schedules generally cover Wednesday through Saturday. Training and onboarding will take place over approximately 1 to 3 weeks, Monday through Friday during standard business hours, regardless of the shift you are ultimately assigned. During onboarding, you will tour the facility, become familiar with the production areas, and receive training on MES and related systems. The environment operates like a start-up, with a high degree of ambiguity and ongoing process development, offering the opportunity to be part of building and shaping a growing operation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Redmond, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $27.00/hr. 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. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Redmond, WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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® Platinum Award 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.