Production Scheduler / Planner

We are seeking a highly organized and analytical Production Scheduler / Planner to support our growing lean manufacturing operation. This position is responsible for planning and scheduling production activities within a custom job-shop environment specializing in industrial coatings and paint application services for defense, aerospace, and commercial customers.

The successful candidate will manage production scheduling, inventory control, process documentation, and operational analytics while ensuring customer delivery commitments are met. This role works closely with production, quality, purchasing, and management teams to maximize throughput, maintain compliance requirements, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Key ResponsibilitiesProduction Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-range production schedules for coating, preparation, masking, blasting, painting, curing, inspection, and shipping operations.
• Coordinate workflow across multiple departments and production cells to maximize throughput and resource utilization.
• Prioritize work orders based on customer requirements, delivery commitments, material availability, and production capacity.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to address bottlenecks, capacity constraints, equipment downtime, and changing priorities.
• Track jobs throughout the production process and provide accurate status updates to customers and management.
• Lead production planning meetings and communicate scheduling priorities to supervisors and team members.
• Balance workload across personnel, equipment, and facility resources while supporting lean manufacturing objectives.

Inventory & Material Management

• Manage inventory levels of coatings, solvents, blasting media, masking materials, packaging supplies, and production consumables.
• Establish and maintain minimum/maximum inventory levels and reorder points.
• Coordinate material purchasing requirements with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Conduct inventory cycle counts and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Analyze inventory usage trends and forecast future material requirements.
• Minimize inventory shortages, excess stock, and material obsolescence.

Documentation & Process Control

• Maintain and control production documentation, work instructions, process specifications, travelers, routers, and quality records.
• Ensure compliance with customer, defense, and quality management system requirements.
• Manage revision control of manufacturing documentation and process records.
• Support implementation and maintenance of standard work procedures.
• Assist with document preparation for audits, customer reviews, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain traceability records and production history documentation.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain production performance metrics and dashboards.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including:
• On-time delivery
• Throughput
• Work-in-process inventory
• Capacity utilization
• Schedule adherence
• Inventory accuracy
• Labor efficiency
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Generate reports and recommendations to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Assist management with production forecasting and capacity planning.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in production scheduling, planning, operations coordination, or manufacturing management.
• Experience in a custom manufacturing, industrial coating, paint application, aerospace, defense, metal finishing, or similar job-shop environment preferred.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, MES, or inventory management systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, work instructions, and production specifications.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with military, defense, aerospace, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001 or AS9100.
• Experience with inventory planning and material forecast