Job description:

The Engineering, Planning & Production Control Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and coordinating both the engineering and production control functions to ensure efficient product design, accurate documentation, optimized material flow, and on-time delivery. This role manages daily departmental priorities, oversees capacity and workflow planning, maintains EPDM/MRP systems, and drives continuous improvement in processes, quality, and productivity. The Manager will work cross-functionally with Production, Sales, and other internal teams to support new product introductions, customer-directed product customizations, maintain accurate schedules, and meet company objectives for cost, quality, and lead time.

Essential Job Functions

Engineering Leadership & Development

• Manage and prioritize daily engineering projects, tasks, and workloads, ensuring the engineering team meets designated lead times and completion dates.
• Develop, lead, and mentor a growing group of engineers, increasing team capacity and process flow.
• Provide quality control for engineering documentation and ensure accuracy of design outputs.
• Oversee design, value engineering, and implementation of new products.
• Support current and new product introductions, and customer-directed customizations in alignment with production schedules.

Process Improvement & Lean Implementation

• Teach, apply, and instill Lean/Six Sigma concepts across engineering and production control, driving improvement across all engineering and production planning processes.
• Develop and implement procedures that improve engineering flow, reduce waste, and enhance cross-departmental efficiency while maintaining MRP/Capacity Planning systems.

EPDM, MRP, and Documentation Management

• Oversee EPDM workflows, vault permissions, and sustainable engineering documentation processes.
• Maintain all MRP or applicable scheduling systems for work order management and capacity planning. Integrate all aspects of production planning with the MRP system.
• Ensure accurate setup, maintenance, and revision control of system parameters affecting planning and scheduling.
• Manage Engineering Change Request (ECR) workflows and coordinate with affected departments.

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Establish, manage, and coordinate production schedules to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor, track, and report production planning performance, lead times, and key KPIs.
• Proactively release and schedule manufacturing orders to ensure material availability and minimize shortages.
• Coordinate closely with Sales, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other areas to align scheduling with demand.
• Communicate material requirements and production status to internal stakeholders.
• Review documentation for accuracy and obtain necessary clarifications from sales and other departments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Work with technical and administrative personnel to develop detailed production schedules and cost estimates for new builds.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external customers.
• Support customer demand fulfillment activities and sales forecasting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, cost expectations, and delivery goals.

Supervision & Administrative

• Provide weekly status updates, team workloads, and KPI reporting.
• Perform routine clerical and reporting tasks, including maintaining logs, scheduling reports, and planning documentation.
• Hire, evaluate, supervise, and develop engineering and production scheduling staff.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or other technical field. Business and Supply Chain Management degrees are a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including 5 years of management experience in an Operations environment.
• 5+ years of Engineering and progressive planning/scheduling experience strongly desired.
• 2+ years of Engineering/Planning and/or Scheduling Management Experience desired.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong materials management expertise, including planning, scheduling, MRP, inventory control, and capacity planning. EPICOR/Kinetic knowledge a plus.
• Knowledge of engineering change and design processes, and production documentation standards.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Ethical, positive, forward-thinking mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)