Purchasing & Planning Lead

About Us

We are a growing precision CNC machine shop serving the aerospace, defense, medical, and commercial industries. Our success is built on quality, customer service, and on-time delivery. We are seeking an experienced Purchasing & Planning Lead to oversee production planning, scheduling, and material coordination to ensure our customers receive their orders on time.

This position serves as the central point of communication between Sales, Production, Purchasing, Shipping, and Quality to keep work flowing efficiently throughout the facility.

Position Summary

The Purchasing & Planning Lead is responsible for developing and maintaining the production schedule, balancing machine capacity, coordinating material availability, and ensuring jobs move through the manufacturing process efficiently.

This role manages the Purchasing and Outside Processing teams, responsible for tracking the status of incoming material and OSP.

The ideal candidate has previous experience in CNC machining, aerospace manufacturing, or another high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment and understands how planning decisions affect customer deliveries and shop performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the master production schedule to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Plan and prioritize manufacturing jobs based on customer demand, machine capacity, labor availability, and material status.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules as priorities change.
• Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure materials arrive in time to support production schedules.
• Communicate material shortages and scheduling concerns before they impact production.
• Work closely with Production Supervisors to balance machine utilization and workload.
• Coordinate with Quality, Shipping, and Customer Service to resolve scheduling issues.
• Monitor work-in-process (WIP) and identify production bottlenecks.
• Review customer orders and forecasts to anticipate future capacity and material requirements.
• Maintain accurate planning data within the ERP/MRP system.
• Track production performance and on-time delivery metrics.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that improve scheduling efficiency and workflow.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of production planning, scheduling, supply chain, or manufacturing operations experience.
• Manufacturing experience is required.
• CNC machining or aerospace manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of production scheduling and manufacturing workflows.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel and computer skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple departments.
• Ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• High attention to detail.

Preferred

• Experience in a CNC job shop or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
• Knowledge of machining processes, routing, work orders, and manufacturing lead times.
• Experience with capacity planning and production scheduling.
• Experience using ERP/MRP software.
• Experience working within AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems.

Physical Requirements

• This is an in-person full-time role
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to walk between the office and production floor throughout the day

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Opportunities for advancement within a growing aerospace manufacturing company
• Clean, organized, and team-oriented work environment

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR (U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident).

Why Join Axis Product Development?

At Axis Product Development, we manufacture precision components for leading aerospace and defense customers. We invest in our people, equipment, and technology, creating opportunities for long-term career growth in a stable and expanding industry.

You should be proficient in:

• Supplier Management
• ERP & MRP Systems
• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Supply Chain Management
• Sourcing and Procurement Experience