The article proposes an approach to solving the task of operational calendar planning of production based on the application of the principles of the optimization and simulation approach. The production simulation model is implemented using the Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software. The optimization procedure is represented by a genetic algorithm. In the implementation of the genetic algorithm, a simulation model is used to evaluate fitness functions. An example of using the proposed approach for a typical production system is given and the positive effect of its application is confirmed. Features of use, positive and negative properties, as well as the possibility of replication to other types of simulation models are revealed.