PRODUCTION PLANNER

We are seeking an experienced and analytical Planner/Scheduler to support our aerospace machining operations. This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing build schedules for precision-machined aerospace components. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, excellent Excel skills, and the ability to integrate scheduling data from our ERP system into dynamic, data-driven planning tools.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

This position plays a key role in coordinating between multiple departments-Production, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, and Program Management-to ensure alignment on priorities, resource capacity, material availability, and delivery objectives. The Planner/Scheduler will report to and work closely with the Master Scheduler to continuously improve planning processes and implement enhancements within the ERP system.

• Develop, manage, and maintain production schedules for all machining operations, ensuring alignment with customer delivery dates, available capacity, and production readiness.

• Create Excel-based scheduling tools and dashboards using advanced formulas (e.g., INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, conditional formatting, PivotTables) to visualize workload, capacity, and delivery forecasts.

• Integrate and analyze data from the ERP system to track job operations, routing progress, and WIP status across machines and departments.

• Communicate daily and weekly build schedules to production supervisors and machinists to ensure priority alignment and resource efficiency. Lead and run daily production meeting.

• Ability to concisely communicate planning status, challenges, risks, opportunities to senior leaders and answer questions in forums attended by senior leaders. Attend and brief at executive level meetings as required.

• Collaborate with Engineering to identify and prioritize tasks related to new part introductions.

• Coordinate with Quality Assurance to prioritize urgent jobs, and manage inspection queues to minimize downtime.

• Work with Purchasing to monitor material availability, identify shortages, and coordinate with outside processing vendors to prevent delays.

• Engage with Program Managers to support program priorities, delivery commitments, and order status updates.

• Support executive leadership by providing input into the revenue plan, capacity plan, and annual operating plan, ensuring schedule and capacity data align with financial targets.

• Partner with the Master Scheduler to review, refine, and implement improved scheduling workflows within the ERP software.

• Track and report key metrics including on-time delivery, schedule adherence, and capacity utilization.
• Assist in identifying process bottlenecks and opportunities to streamline scheduling and planning procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formula writing, data modeling, and charting (PivotTables, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, and complex conditional formatting).

• Hands-on experience in aerospace machining or manufacturing environments, with working knowledge of job operations such as turning, milling, inspection, and outside processing.

• Demonstrated ability to translate ERP/MRP data into actionable production plans and capacity forecasts.

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with keen attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate across departments and all organizational levels.

• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, and high-precision environment with shifting priorities.

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Plex, Epicor, SAP, JobBOSS, or similar).
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management principles and aerospace documentation requirements preferred.