Production Planner Jobs in Portland, ME (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary: The Master Planner / Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing 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 is the central coordination point between sales, engineering, production, procurement, and quality and requires strong analytical skills and deep technical experience with ERP/MRP systems and capacity planning. JobBOSS experience preferred. In addition, this role requires exceptional communication skills to effectively align cross-functional stakeholders and clearly convey schedule status, risks, and trade-offs. A high level of data analytics and computer proficiency is essential to interpret complex production data, drive decision-making, and continuously improve scheduling performance.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• 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. Elevates communication by delivering clear, concise, and actionable updates tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• 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 supports 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/Sales, inventory, & 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. Utilizes data-driven methodologies to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Maintains proper traceability and documentation standards required for defense programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 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 analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and clearly 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.

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

Travel Required: N/A

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.  All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitude, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety to themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship. 

Affirmative Action/Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: ALIGN PRECISION is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company.  We are committed to creating a workplace where all qualified individuals are welcome and can thrive, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law.