Engineering Assistant Jobs in Dothan, AL (NOW HIRING)

About SmartLam North America

SmartLam North America is a leader in the mass timber industry, specializing in the manufacturing of glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) products for commercial, industrial, and residential construction. With a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and precision manufacturing, we are expanding our operations in Dothan, Alabama, with a state-of-the-art automated glulam manufacturing facility.

At SmartLam, we believe in fostering a strong team environment, supporting career growth, and producing high-quality, sustainable wood products. Join us as we revolutionize the mass timber industry!

Position Overview

The Production Coordinator Assistant supports the Production Coordinator in planning, scheduling, tracking, and coordinating the daily production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam, and other mass timber products. The position helps ensure production information, materials, work orders, schedules, inventory records, and shipping requirements are accurate and communicated across departments.

This role serves as an important link between Production, Project Management, Engineering/Design, Quality, Procurement, Inventory, Maintenance, and Shipping, helping ensure projects move efficiently through manufacturing and are completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.  

Pay depending on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Assist the Production Coordinator with preparing and maintaining daily and weekly production schedules.
• Prepare and distribute production schedules, work orders, production lists, labels, packaging information, and other required documentation.
• Track projects and work orders through the manufacturing process.
• Update schedules based on production progress, material availability, equipment downtime, staffing constraints, quality issues, and changing project priorities.
• Communicate schedule changes and production priorities to supervisors and appropriate departments.
• Help identify potential scheduling conflicts, bottlenecks, or delays and promptly communicate concerns to the Production Coordinator.
• Assist with coordinating CLT, Glulam, CNC machining, finishing, packaging, and shipping requirements.

Production Documentation & ERP

• Enter and maintain accurate production information within the company's ERP/MRP system.
• Create, update, and close production work orders as assigned.
• Verify production quantities, material usage, labor transactions, inventory movements, and job status.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper production records.
• Assist with Bills of Materials (BOMs), production travelers, job packets, labels, and other manufacturing documentation.
• Review production information for accuracy and report discrepancies.
• Assist with maintaining accurate project and production data used for reporting and decision-making.

Inventory & Material Coordination

• Assist with monitoring lumber, adhesives, packaging materials, and other supplies required for scheduled production.
• Compare material availability against upcoming production requirements.
• Communicate potential material shortages before they impact production.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Inventory/Warehouse, and Production personnel regarding material needs.
• Assist with cycle counts and inventory reconciliation as needed.
• Help investigate discrepancies between physical inventory and ERP inventory records.
• Support efforts to minimize material waste and improve lumber utilization.

Production Tracking & Reporting

• Track daily production results against scheduled targets.
• Assist with preparing production reports and dashboards.
• Maintain information related to:
  • Schedule attainment
  • Production output
  • Downtime
  • Material usage
  • Scrap and waste
  • Inventory
  • Quality holds/rework
  • Project completion status
• Compile information for daily production meetings and operational reviews.
• Follow up on outstanding production action items and communicate status to the Production Coordinator.
• Maintain accurate records to support production KPI reporting.Cross-Functional Coordination
• Communicate regularly with Production Supervisors regarding project status, priorities, delays, and schedule changes.
• Coordinate with Project Management regarding customer deadlines and project priorities.
• Work with Engineering/Design to ensure required production information and fabrication documentation are available before jobs are released.
• Coordinate with Quality regarding inspection requirements, holds, rework, and release of materials or products.
• Work with Maintenance when equipment downtime may affect the production schedule.
• Coordinate with Shipping/Receiving to help ensure completed products are packaged and available according to planned shipment dates.
• Participate in daily production meetings and other operational meetings as requested.

Safety & Quality

• Support a culture where employee safety is the highest priority.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, PPE requirements, and plant rules.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions or practices.
• Ensure production documentation reflects applicable quality requirements.
• Support compliance with established mass timber manufacturing procedures and quality standards.
• Assist with maintaining traceability of materials and finished products as required.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or additional education in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering Technology, Construction, or a related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in manufacturing, production coordination, scheduling, inventory, logistics, or administrative support preferred.
• Experience in wood products, engineered wood, mass timber, CLT, Glulam, or project-based manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with production employees, supervisors, managers, and support departments.
• Comfortable working with production data and identifying discrepancies.
• Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Ability to understand manufacturing schedules and material flow.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when issues should be escalated.
• Ability to read and understand production documents, work orders, and basic manufacturing drawings.
• Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information.

Computer Skills

Proficiency or demonstrated ability to learn:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft Office 365
• ERP/MRP systems such as Epicor, SAP, NetSuite, or similar systems
• Production scheduling and inventory management systems

Intermediate Excel skills, including formulas, filtering, sorting, PivotTables, and data analysis, are preferred.

Key Competencies

• Planning & Organization
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Sense of Urgency
• Problem Solving
• Data Accuracy
• Adaptability
• Continuous Improvement
• Customer/Project Focus

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in both an office and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to regularly walk through an active manufacturing facility.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods as required.
• Ability to climb stairs and access production areas.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds periodically.
• Must be able to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear, and other equipment as required.
• Exposure to noise, dust, lumber, adhesives, moving equipment, forklifts, and manufacturing machinery may occur.
• Regular and predictable on-site attendance is required.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Accuracy and timeliness of production schedules and documentation.
• Accuracy of ERP and inventory information.
• Timely communication of production issues and schedule changes.
• Production schedule attainment.
• Reduction of preventable scheduling and material-related delays.
• Accuracy and timeliness of production reporting.
• Effective coordination between Production and supporting departments.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Why Join SmartLam North America?

Work in a state-of-the-art, fully automated glulam facility.
Competitive wages, full benefits package, and career advancement opportunities.
Be part of an industry-leading company driving mass timber innovation.
Work for a company that values sustainability, innovation, and teamwork.

If you are looking for a fast-paced, hands-on role in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and join SmartLam North America in shaping the future of mass timber construction.