Operations Planner

Job Title: Operations Planner Job Description
The Operations Planner supports both warehouse and office functions by coordinating and expediting the flow of work for the shipping and receiving of customer products and materials. This role focuses on effectively planning and organizing customer orders for warehouse operators in alignment with established safety practices and daily shipping and receiving schedules. The Operations Planner analyzes schedules, labor availability, and inventory levels to determine work progress and completion timelines while serving as a key link between warehouse and office operations.
Responsibilities
- Promote a safe working environment by consistently following all safety rules and procedures.
- Analyze shipping and receiving schedules at the assigned facility to determine whether the scheduled workload can be handled with available labor and inventory.
- Communicate operational issues, capacity constraints, and schedule concerns to appropriate personnel, including warehouse leadership.
- Coordinate and prioritize shipping and receiving activities based on inventory status, requested ship dates, and appointment times.
- Develop procedures that help the operation respond proactively to external circumstances rather than reactively.
- Maximize operational efficiency and productivity when assigning job tasks to warehouse operators by analyzing workloads and using the warehouse management control system.
- Consolidate inventory when necessary by utilizing system stock move functions and space utilization programs.
- Assist in resolving inaccurate system information related to stock locations, pick tickets (shipments), and put-away tickets (inbounds).
- Support shipping and receiving processes in the system by assisting analysts with the processing of shipments and receipts and verifying inventory control accuracy.
- Act as a liaison between warehouse and office operations to ensure clear communication and smooth workflow.
- Maintain general awareness of system capabilities and enhancements to promote workflow efficiencies.
- Perform data entry and order entry tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
- Provide customer service support related to order status, shipping and receiving schedules, and inventory inquiries.
- Use Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, to analyze data, prepare reports, and support operational planning.
- Complete other duties as assigned to support overall warehouse and office operations.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 1 year of customer service or office experience.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to analyze data and information to support scheduling and inventory decisions.
- Strong communication skills with supervisors, peers, and individuals outside the organization.
- Ability to make decisions and solve problems in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Proficiency in computer use, including data entry and order entry.
- Experience with SAP or similar enterprise systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in handling inventory and shipment information.
- Ability to work with and support warehouse operations, including understanding of shipping and receiving processes.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Demonstrated customer service skills, including responsiveness and professionalism.
- Experience working in operations, logistics, or warehouse support roles.
- Ability to act as a liaison between different departments and maintain effective working relationships.
- Capability to maintain awareness of system capabilities and enhancements to improve workflow efficiency.
- Flexibility in work hours to support a multiple shift operation when needed.
- Good eyesight suitable for reading screens, documents, and system data.
- Good hearing suitable for safety purposes in areas with forklift and motorized vehicle activity.
- Comfort with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Interest in working in an environment that offers quick raises and a positive work culture.
Work Environment
The role is primarily based in a normal office setting, with regular use of computers and office equipment and prolonged periods of desk work. The Operations Planner will occasionally work in or visit the warehouse environment, which may include fluctuations in temperature and humidity and exposure to heavy motorized vehicle traffic such as forklifts. The position supports a multiple shift operation and may require extended or flexible work hours to meet operational needs. The work culture emphasizes a good environment and opportunities for quick raises, with a focus on safety and collaboration between office and warehouse teams.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $19.00/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 Cedar Rapids,IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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 [email protected] 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.