Production Controller

Production Controller – Direct HireLocation: Houston, TX 77064Salary: $80,000+ annually, depending on experienceSchedule: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PMEmployment Type: Full-Time | Direct HireTake the Lead in Production Planning:Openwork is seeking an experienced Production Controller for a direct-hire opportunity with an established manufacturing organization in Houston, TX. This is a key operations role responsible for developing and maintaining the master production schedule, coordinating production priorities, and ensuring customer delivery commitments are met. The Production Controller will serve as a central point of communication between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Quality, and Manufacturing, helping align customer demand with materials, labor, equipment, and production capacity. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced manufacturing professional who is highly organized, analytical, proactive, and comfortable working across multiple departments.What You'll Be Doing:Develop and maintain the master production schedule based on customer demand, materials, labor, equipment capacity, and engineering releases.Plan, schedule, coordinate, and release production orders to manufacturing.Maintain accurate customer promise dates and communicate production status.Monitor daily work-in-process (WIP) and address shortages, delays, and changing priorities.Lead weekly production backlog meetings with Operations, Sales, and Engineering.Identify capacity bottlenecks and coordinate corrective actions.Manage production reschedules and communicate changes across departments.Maintain accurate ERP/MRP planning data, routings, scheduling information, and reporting tools.Track schedule attainment, capacity utilization, backlog, and on-time delivery performance.Partner with Purchasing on material shortages, inventory, WIP aging, and outsourced machining or fabrication.Coordinate with Engineering on job costs, routings, and engineering release timing.Review work order closeouts and analyze labor, material, and routing variances.Identify opportunities to improve production planning processes, scheduling tools, and ERP data accuracy.Participate in daily Gemba walks and demonstrate strong safety leadership.What We're Looking For:5+ years of production planning, scheduling, materials management, production control, or manufacturing operations experience.Advanced knowledge of ERP/MRP-driven manufacturing planningEpicor experience strongly preferred.Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel; PivotTable experience is a plus.Knowledge of discrete and continuous manufacturing principles and operations.Experience in make-to-order, engineer-to-order, or low-volume/high-mix manufacturing preferred.Experience supporting fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, or vertically integrated manufacturing strongly preferred.Strong planning, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.Ability to interpret production data and make timely decisions.Strong communication and presentation skills.Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability without direct supervisory authority.Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a consistent planning cadence.Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or additional relevant manufacturing production-control experience.APICS, Lean, or Six Sigma certifications are a plus.Work Environment:Climate-controlled manufacturing facility.Moderate noise levels within OSHA limits.Ability to lift 25–50 lbs.Ability to walk, sit, stand, talk, and communicate throughout an 8-hour workday.Benefits:Medical, dental, and vision insurance.401(k).PTO/Vacation.Long-Term Disability (LTD).Life insurance.Professional growth opportunities.Collaborative manufacturing environment.Apply today for this Production Controller – Direct Hire opportunity in Houston, TX 77064, or visit Openwork to explore additional career opportunities.About Openwork: Openwork has more than 50 years of experience connecting talented professionals with leading employers. We are committed to helping people find meaningful work and build rewarding careers.Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)