Production Associate Jobs in Paramount, CA (NOW HIRING)

About the Role
As a Materials Associate, you'll own the physical movement of materials in and out of our production facility, and the inventory accuracy that keeps our build lines running. That means receiving inbound raw material, castings, forgings, purchased components, and tooling; verifying accuracy against POs; routing material to inspection, stockroom, or production; and packaging and shipping outbound hardware under strict traceability and compliance requirements. In a SUBSAFE environment, every piece of material must be traceable from receipt to installation.
What You'll Do
Receiving

• Unload inbound shipments from carriers (UPS, FedEx, LTL, flatbed freight)
• Inspect packaging for damage and verify contents against packing slips, POs, and certifications
• Process receipts in the ERP system with accurate part numbers, quantities, heat/lot numbers, and serial data
• Verify material certifications (certs, MTRs, CoCs) accompany material as required
• Route material to incoming inspection, stockroom, or production cells per procedure
• Identify discrepancies (shortages, overages, damage, wrong material) and escalate to supply chain and quality
• Handle oversized and heavy receipts: raw plate, bar stock, forgings, castings, and coordinate with riggers and crane operators as needed

Shipping

• Pack, crate, and palletize outbound hardware like machined components, welded sub-assemblies, piping spools, and completed units using FOD-controlled and shock/vibration-rated methods
• Build custom crates and shipping fixtures for large or irregular components
• Generate bills of lading, packing lists, and carrier documentation
• Coordinate with freight forwarders and carriers for shipments
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, and DOT regulations on every shipment
• Maintain chain-of-custody documentation for SUBSAFE, SOC, and Level I controlled material
• Stage and load outbound trucks; verify seals and documentation for sensitive or controlled shipments

Materials Management

• Maintain accurate ERP transactions for every receipt, issue, transfer, move, and shipment
• Put away received material to designated stockroom locations; maintain location accuracy
• Support the kitting team with material staging and location management
• Perform cycle counts and support physical inventories
• Track and manage material certifications, shelf-life items, and limited-life materials
• Maintain material segregation: conforming, non-conforming, customer-furnished, and quarantined material in designated areas

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 5+ years of shipping & receiving, warehouse, or logistics experience in a manufacturing environment
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record
• Experience operating forklifts and pallet jacks (certification required or obtainable)
• Familiarity with ERP/WMS systems and barcode scanners
• Ability to read and interpret POs, packing slips, and basic engineering drawings (for part number verification)
• Working knowledge of domestic shipping: carrier coordination, LTL, bill of lading preparation
• Strong attention to detail: part numbers, quantities, lot/heat codes, revision levels
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs, stand for full shifts, and work in dock/warehouse environments
• U.S. Person status (ITAR requirement)

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, or other AS9100 / ISO 9001 regulated manufacturing
• Experience with SUBSAFE, SOC, or Level I material traceability and handling requirements
• ITAR/EAR export compliance training or experience
• Experience handling and verifying material test reports (MTRs) and certificates of conformance
• Familiarity with NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems
• Forklift, reach truck, and overhead crane certifications
• Experience receiving and managing raw materials: plate, bar stock, castings, forgings
• CDL Class A or B (for occasional inter-facility transport)
• Hazmat endorsement and DOT hazmat training (49 CFR)
• Experience crating and shipping large machined or welded assemblies
• Prior military supply/logistics MOS (e.g., Navy SK, LS, or equivalent)

Physical Requirements

• Lift up to 50 lbs regularly and 75 lbs occasionally
• Standing, walking, bending, and climbing in/out of trucks throughout the shift
• Comfortable working in dock environments with variable temperatures
• Safe operation of forklifts, pallet jacks, and powered industrial trucks