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Position: Junior Production Planner & Assistant Shop Manager
Location: Yorktown, VA
Duration: Full Time, Direct-Hire
Schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (1-hour lunch)
Salary Range: $60,000 – $75,000/Annual
We are seeking a mechanically oriented, detail-driven, and team-focused Junior Production Planner & Assistant Shop Manager to help coordinate production planning and support daily shop operations. This is not a dual role, but a focused position that blends planning authority with hands-on shop exposure. The ideal candidate is a natural leader with 3–4 years of relevant experience, eager to grow into a future Production Manager role.
This is a career-building opportunity for someone with potential, humility, and enthusiasm—not just experience. You’ll be mentored, supported, and given room to learn. We don’t believe in overstressing our team; we believe in achieving goals together.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Planning
- Develop and manage daily/weekly production schedules based on sales orders, capacity, and inventory
- Coordinate material requirements, lead times, and work orders with procurement, engineering, and sales
- Monitor progress and adjust schedules to meet shifting priorities or disruptions
- Maintain visibility on work orders, verify parts and materials, and ensure readiness for assembly
- Track KPIs such as on-time delivery, throughput, and efficiency
- Plan with flexibility—anticipate gaps, shift timelines, and optimize supply/demand balance
- Implement visual controls, checklists, and standardized procedures to streamline operations
- Collaborate with sales to manage expectations and align production with realistic delivery timelines
- Travel: Occasional, optional (e.g., Italy visits once a year)
Shop Support & Leadership
- Work closely with a flat-structured team of 10 shop personnel (fabrication, assembly, painting, shipping)
- No direct reports, but must have the authority and confidence to direct work and reassign tasks
- Ensure quality control, safety compliance, and operational consistency
- Coordinate maintenance and repairs with internal teams and external vendors
- Support a clean, organized, and accountable shop culture
- Promote team goals over individual ego—listen, plan, and lead with humility
- Be hands-on and visible in the shop; this is not a desk-only role
Qualifications
- 3–4 years of experience in production planning, shop coordination, or similar manufacturing roles
- No degree required, shipyard or industrial experience highly valued
- Experience with hiring and performance management (including termination decisions)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, ERP/MRP systems, and inventory control
- Excellent communication, planning, and decision-making skills
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
- Comfortable working with procurement, engineering, and sales to align operations
- High energy, positive attitude, and a hunger to learn and take on responsibility
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