Place function in Photoshop Action placing layer in wrong position.

Hello All, 

So I am trying to create an action that adds a background image layer behind another image.  However, after I execute the action it always places the background layer loaded via place function in the action process in the wrong position.  The process always starts with a 10x15in image.  Once that is loaded into photoshop I then begin recording the action.  The steps are as follows:

1) Unlock main layer

2) Use crop to expand to a 9:16 aspect ratio so transparent space is visible on top and bottom of image.

3) Load background image that is cropped to fit that 9:16 canvas exactly.  I have that image specifically labeled and in a specific folder on my desktop so the loading process is consistent.

4) Place that 2nd under the main layer so that it now looks like the background.

5) Add a drop shadow to top layer via blending options.

6) Save image as a jpg in a specific folder on desktop.

7) Stop recording action.

No matter how I load the background layer in while recording an action it always shows up raised higher than it should be whenever I execute the action on an image.  I have attached images to make it clear what I mean.  The main image is the dog poster.  The background image is the golden lights.  I have tried various ways of adding the background in the action recording process and there has been no difference.  I've pulled the file directly from the folder and dropped it in the document, I've used Place Embedded, and also Place Linked.  

In the example photos you can see what my intended version is supposed to look like when I run the action, then you can also see the actual version of what happens.  Any ideas on how to make this work so the file is placed in the correct position each time?  Again, I always start with the same 10x15 image/canvas size and the background layer is already cut to match the eventual 9:16 aspect ratio.