Service Production Planner (Sunnyvale, CA)

***Please note that our customer is currently not considering applicants from the following locations: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.***

Our Customer is a corporation that develops, manufactures, and markets robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery. Founded in 1995, their goal was to create innovative, robotic-assisted systems that help empower doctors and hospitals to make surgery less invasive than an open approach. Working with the top medical professionals, they continue to develop new, minimally invasive surgical platforms and future diagnostic tools to help solve complex healthcare challenges around the world.

We are seeking a Service Production Planner on a contract basis to support our Customer's business needs. This role is on-site in Sunnyvale, CA.

This role supports reprocessing manufacturing activities within the Service department, ensuring efficient production, repair scheduling, and continuous process improvement. This role requires a detail-oriented and analytical individual with strong ERP expertise, manufacturing experience, and a collaborative mindset. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, demonstrates initiative, and contributes to both tactical and strategic business goals through planning excellence and process innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned NPI (New Product Introduction) and Sustaining projects, overseeing both tactical and strategic deliverables.
• Drive pilot production schedules, resolve manufacturability issues, and implement cost and efficiency improvements.
• Evaluate current planning processes and recommend continuous improvement strategies aligned with Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Lead and support departmental or cross-functional projects, ensuring scope, timeline, and milestones are met.
• Engage Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams in issue resolution and process optimization.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Engineering to review and execute Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• Identify and mitigate supply risks; align production milestones with supply chain processes to ensure inventory continuity.
• Perform capacity analysis to support forecasting, “what-if” scenarios, and production scalability.
• Work closely with Quality and Finance to maintain compliance, accuracy, and reporting integrity.
• Maintain accurate MRP parameters within ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Support UAT testing, ERP troubleshooting, and customization efforts to align with departmental needs.
• Analyze production and department metrics, identify trends, and drive corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain documentation, including Work Instructions (WI) and Departmental Operating Procedures (DOP).
• Provide tactical training, mentorship, and guidance to planning team members.
• Lead skill development initiatives and ensure knowledge transfer through updated documentation.
• Support department scalability by driving continuous improvement and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years of experience in a progressive manufacturing environment; medical device industry experience preferred.
• 2+ years of experience using and evolving planning systems such as SAP (R/3 or S/4HANA), Adexa, JDA, or Kinaxis.
• Strong understanding of production planning, project management, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot ERP and IT-related issues independently.
• Working knowledge of ISO and regulatory compliance in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex information clearly to cross-functional teams.

Preferred:

• APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or Six Sigma certification.
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable to rapid changes in a fast-paced production environment.
• Motivated, proactive, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.

We offer a competitive salary range for this position. Most candidates who join our team are hired at the median of this range, ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Contractor benefits are available through our 3rd Party Employer of Record (Available upon completion of waiting period for eligible engagements) Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.