Manufacturing Readiness Lead

About the role

The Planner/Scheduler will support production operations and supply chain activities for complex aerospace products. This role combines detailed scheduling with focused project coordination, ensuring that all elements required for production, including material availability, documentation, engineering changes, and test readiness, are aligned, tracked, and executed on time.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Readiness & Execution Management: Lead Manufacturing Readiness processes for multiple products, ensuring all cross-functional deliverables are completed prior to production. Plan and run Manufacturing Readiness meetings, tracking inputs from Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test teams.

• Maintain and track readiness checklists, deliverables, and exit criteria for production builds. Identify gaps in readiness, including material shortages, documentation gaps, ECO implementation status, tooling readiness, and test readiness—and drive closure. Ensure alignment between internal teams and contract manufacturers prior to build execution.

• Planning, Scheduling & Material Readiness: Develop and maintain integrated schedules that include supply chain, material delivery timelines, manufacturing activities, ECO implementation, and production milestones. Track part-level schedules and material availability, including long-lead items, custom components, and critical supply dependencies.

• ECO / ECN & Configuration Change Coordination: Support planning and execution of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)/Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) within production schedules. Track implementation of changes across inventory, work-in-progress, and supplier pipelines. Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure timely and controlled rollout of design changes.

• DMSMS & Lifecycle (Obsolescence): Track and coordinate activities related to DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages). Maintain visibility into end-of-life (EOL) components and last-time-buy opportunities. Support Supply Chain and Engineering in planning for alternate sourcing, redesigns, or lifetime buys. Ensure production schedules account for component lifecycle risks and long-term availability requirements. Support sustainment planning to ensure continued supportability for DOD and aerospace customers.

• Cross-Functional Project Coordination: Coordinate activities across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Test teams. Track and manage multiple concurrent initiatives supporting production and supply chain execution. Drive accountability by tracking action items, owners, and deadlines. Escalate risks and blockers—including material availability and obsolescence risks—that could impact production readiness or schedule.

• Meeting Leadership & Communication: Lead recurring cross-functional meetings (e.g., Manufacturing Readiness Reviews, Build Readiness, Production Status). Document meeting minutes, action items, owners, and due dates with clear follow-through. Provide structured updates to leadership on schedule status, material readiness, ECO progress, and risks. Ensure clear communication between internal teams and contract manufacturers.

• Tools, Reporting & Visibility: Utilize Microsoft Project to build and maintain detailed schedules. Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to track schedule performance, material readiness, and lifecycle risks. Provide regular updates on schedule adherence, material availability, ECO status, and readiness gaps. Ensure alignment and consistency across scheduling and tracking tools.

• Production & Supply Chain Support: Support execution of internal production and contract manufacturing builds. Track material readiness, long-lead components, supplier delivery performance, and EOL risks. Coordinate closely with Supply Chain and Procurement to ensure on-time delivery of all required components. Support alignment with traceability, compliance, and documentation requirements.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in planning, scheduling, or project coordination in a manufacturing or hardware environment.
• Experience tracking material readiness, supply chain schedules, or production planning activities.
• Familiarity with ECO/ECN processes and configuration control in production environments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project (or similar scheduling tools).
• Experience leading meetings, documenting action items, and driving follow-through.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present clear, structured status updates.
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel to CM facilities as needed.
• Qualified candidate must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. This requires U.S. Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DOD or aerospace production programs.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality environments.
• Experience with DMSMS / obsolescence management.
• Experience supporting custom component supply chains.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain analytics tools.
• Background in electromechanical aerospace systems or avionics hardware.
• Familiarity with contract manufacturing environments.