Production Controller

Now Hiring: Direct Hire - Production Controller Location: Houston, TX 77064 Annual Salary: $80,000 + depending on experience Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Position Purpose The Production Controller is responsible for developing and maintaining the master production schedule to support customer delivery commitments, efficient utilization of labor and equipment, and achievement of operational objectives. This position serves as the central coordination point between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Manufacturing to align customer demand, material availability, capacity, and production execution. The Production Controller owns production visibility, schedule communication, and continuous improvement of planning processes and systems. Responsibilities Plan, schedule, coordinate, and release production orders to manufacturing based on material availability, labor capacity, equipment availability, and customer delivery requirements. Maintain and communicate accurate customer order promise dates and production status updates throughout the organization. Review and monitor daily WIP performance with production supervisors and coordinate corrective actions to address schedule disruptions, shortages, and priority changes. Maintain accurate ERP planning parameters, routings, scheduling data, and supporting reporting tools necessary for production planning and operational decision‑making. Lead weekly production backlog meetings to share and discuss current sales and work order status with operations, sales, and engineering. Track corrective actions to maintain customer commitments on delivery. Manage production reschedules and coordinate with Customer Service, Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing to communicate job status and maintain schedule accuracy. Develop and maintain the master production schedule by balancing customer demand, labor availability, machine capacity, material constraints, and engineering release timing. Identify capacity bottlenecks and proactively recommend corrective actions to maintain customer delivery commitments. Track and report schedule attainment, capacity utilization, backlog performance, and on‑time delivery metrics. Work with Purchasing to identify and manage any required outsourcing of machine shop and fabrication work, providing updates on job status as needed. Also partner with Purchasing to Monitor inventory levels, material shortages, and WIP aging to support production flow and customer delivery commitments. Work with Engineering to support questions on job costs and routings as required. Lead work order closeout reviews and analyze labor, material, and routing variances to identify root causes and improvement opportunities. Continuously review and implement improvements to planning processes and tools to make scheduling activities more effective and efficient. Interface with the Engineering team to ensure timing of engineering releases support the master production schedule. Be an example for safety leadership and an active participant in daily Gemba walks. Success in this position will be measured through on‑time delivery performance, schedule attainment, backlog management, work order accuracy, production variance reduction, and ERP data integrity. Qualifications Advanced understanding of ERP/MRP-driven manufacturing planning processes; Epicor experience strongly preferred. Strong MS Office Skills – Primarily Excel, experience with pivot tables is a plus Must be an organized planner, able to work a daily standard cadence to effectively work on multiple items daily for multiple internal customers. Demonstrated ability to influence cross‑functional teams and drive accountability without direct supervisory authority. Must have good technical, analytical and interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills Work well with a team and individually Knowledge of manufacturing (both discrete and continuous) principles and operations APICS / Lean / Six Sigma certifications are a bonus 5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, materials management, production control, or operations within a manufacturing environment. Experience supporting make‑to‑order, engineer‑to‑order, or low‑volume/high‑mix manufacturing environments preferred. Experience interacting with fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, or vertically integrated manufacturing operations strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Operations or Engineering function, or additional specific related manufacturing production control experience. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to interpret and analyze data to make quick decisions. Work Environment The work performed is conducted in a climate-controlled facility with moderate noise levels that are within OSHA limits Must be able to lift 25 – 50 lbs Must be able to walk, talk, sit, stand, and communicate verbally continuously throughout an 8 hour period. Benefits Medical Dental Vision 401k PTO/Vacation LTD Life Insurance Why Join Openwork? Competitive pay Weekly pay Meaningful work with opportunity for growth Supportive, collaborative work environment About Openwork Openwork has more than 50 years of experience connecting talented professionals with leading employers. We are committed to helping you find meaningful work and build a successful career. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) #J-18808-Ljbffr Openwork