Production Planner

Role Overview

MSM Industries is seeking execution-focused, detail-oriented Production Planner to drive day-to-day production planning, scheduling, and shop floor control within our high-mix, custom-engineered defense and maritime manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Senior Management, this role is essential in converting naval defense contracts, prime contractor demand signals, and program milestones into actionable, balanced production schedules.

The Production Planner ensures seamless alignment between raw material availability (elastomers, polymers, resins, specialized metallic inserts, curing agents), tooling/mold readiness, production work-center capacity, and strict defense delivery commitments. This is an ideal opportunity for a proactive planner who excels in a build-to-print, high-mix/low-to-medium-volume defense environment delivering mission-critical naval, submarine, surface vessel, and signature-management hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Master Scheduling & Work Order Management: Develop, release, and maintain detailed production schedules and discrete work orders across specialized work centers, including elastomeric/rubber compression molding, urethane casting, composite layup, bonding/curing ovens, CNC routing/trimming, and final assembly.
• Material & Tooling Synchronization: Coordinate with Purchasing and Inventory to track long-lead raw materials, ensure tooling/mold availability, and eliminate kit shortages prior to job release.
• Capacity & Bottleneck Management: Perform rough-cut and finite capacity planning across specialized equipment (presses, CNC mills, curing stations); identify production constraints and recommend leveling strategies to optimize throughput and cycle times.
• Maritime & Defense Program Support: Partner with Program Managers and Operations to ensure build schedules align with customer-critical milestones, delivery schedules, and naval ship availability/docking windows.
• Shop Floor & Constraint Resolution: Conduct daily gemba walks and participate in daily production tier meetings to monitor Work-In-Process (WIP), identify bottlenecks, and develop rapid schedule recovery plans for delayed lots.
• ERP/MRP Data Integrity: Maintain accurate manufacturing parameters in the ERP system, including Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, standard setup/run times, scrap factors, lead times, and lot tracking data.
• Outside Processing & Special Test Tracking: Coordinate and schedule outside special processes (destructive/non-destructive testing, acoustic performance testing, specialized coatings, environmental testing) to prevent flow stoppages.
• Operational Performance Metrics: Track and drive improvements in core KPIs: On-Time Delivery (OTD), Schedule Adherence, WIP dwell times, past-due backlog reduction, and scrap/rework impact on schedule.
• Quality & Compliance Alignment: Ensure all planning data complies with defense requirements, customer flow-downs, MIL-SPECs/NAVSEA standards, and AS9100 quality system procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience: 2-5+ years of production planning, master scheduling, or material planning experience in a defense, maritime, aerospace, or precision engineered products manufacturing environment.
• ERP/MRP Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with ERP/MRP platforms (Epicor or equivalent) for discrete work order execution and capacity planning.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Familiarity with planning in build-to-print or custom fabrication environments (e.g., molding, curing/bonding, composite processing, or precision fabrication).
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to analyze capacity constraints, interpret BOMs and routings, and balance competing schedule priorities.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with shop floor operators, engineers, supply chain, and program leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting naval/maritime defense programs
• Experience with molded polymers, silicone/polyurethane formulations, composite structures, elastomeric materials, CNC machining or mechanical assemblies
• Working knowledge of Epicor ERP.
• Familiarity with AS9100 / ISO 9001, ITAR compliance, and military defense packaging/labeling standards.
• Professional certifications such as APICS CPIM / CSCP or Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt.

Additional Requirements

• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
• Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
• Ability to use a computer to complete assignments

Job Details

Type: Full-time

Base Salary Range: $75,000-$105,000/yr

Business Hours: Core hours, M-F with availability to work overtime as needed

Base Location: 100% on-site in Riverside, CA

Travel: None