Master Planner/Scheduler

About the Role

The Master Planner / Scheduler develops, maintains, and executes the master production schedule for a precision CNC machining job shop supporting defense programs. This role translates customer orders and contract requirements into an optimized, achievable shop schedule while balancing machine and labor capacity, material availability, outside processes, and compliance demands (ITAR, DFARS, AS9100). The position serves as the central coordination point between sales, engineering, production, procurement, and quality, requiring strong analytical skills and deep technical experience with ERP/MRP systems and capacity planning. Exceptional communication skills are essential to align cross-functional stakeholders and convey schedule status, risks, and trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains the master production schedule for CNC milling, turning, and related operations in a job shop environment (finite and rough-cut capacity planning).
• Translates purchase orders, contract line items, and delivery schedules into work orders, routings, and production priorities within the ERP/MRP system.
• Optimizes ERP data (routings, lead times, work center capacities) to improve schedule accuracy and throughput; leads ERP-related scheduling improvements and best practices.
• Monitors WIP and schedule adherence; proactively identifies and resolves delays, bottlenecks, and capacity constraints.
• Coordinates with procurement to align raw materials, tooling, and outside processing (heat treat, plating, NDT) with production timing.
• Sequences work with engineering and quality to accommodate first-article inspections, PPAP/FAI, and process qualifications.
• Communicates schedule status, risks, and changes to production supervisors, program managers, procurement, and customers, delivering clear, concise, and actionable updates.
• Analyzes machine and labor capacity data to inform decisions on overtime, outside processing, or capital investment; identifies and manages bottleneck work centers.
• Leverages advanced data analysis to identify trends, forecast constraints, and support proactive decision-making.
• Supports contract review and order-entry processes to ensure promised delivery dates are realistic.
• Tracks and reports key scheduling metrics (on-time delivery, schedule adherence, capacity utilization) and provides capacity vs. demand analysis for Sales & Operational Planning.
• Develops and enhances reporting tools, dashboards, and data visualizations to improve visibility and decision-making.
• Ensures scheduling practices and documentation meet defense industry and export control requirements (ITAR, DFARS, AS9100).
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives to enhance scheduling accuracy and production flow using data-driven methodologies.
• Maintains proper traceability and documentation standards required for defense programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, industrial engineering, operations management, business, or related field — or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ production planning/scheduling experience in machining, manufacturing, aerospace, or defense environments (job shop experience strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with ERP/MRP systems (JobBOSS preferred; Epicor, SAP, IQMS or similar acceptable).
• Proven ability to optimize ERP scheduling data and workflows.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining processes, capacity planning, routing, and manufacturing lead times.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and scheduling tools; familiarity with finite capacity planning.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with advanced Excel capabilities and experience using data analysis or visualization tools.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and other defense industry quality/compliance requirements preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills; high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and articulate complex scheduling and capacity concepts.
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Experience building or improving dashboards, reporting tools, or data models to support planning and scheduling.
• U.S. Person status may be required for ITAR/export-controlled work.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with regular shop-floor interaction and inspections.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
• Minimal travel; occasional supplier or customer visits may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May oversee planning/scheduling support staff depending on organizational structure.