Sr. NPI Planner

Senior NPI Planner

Rubbercraft (RCC) is seeking a Senior NPI Planner responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring technical New Product Introduction (NPI) and development projects from manufacturing order release through completion. This role partners closely with NPI leadership, Engineering, Purchasing, Estimating, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to ensure project milestones, material readiness, manufacturing execution, and customer commitments are effectively managed.

This position owns visibility into open NPI manufacturing orders, schedule accuracy, milestone tracking, and risk communication. The Senior NPI Planner provides timely updates to Sales and internal stakeholders, coordinates recovery plans when schedules are at risk, and maintains accurate planning data within the company's MRP/ERP system.

Rubbercraft is a trusted leader in engineered elastomer solutions serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Our team designs and manufactures precision-molded seals, gaskets, and custom rubber components that perform in the most demanding environments. We take pride in craftsmanship, collaboration, and a culture built on innovation and reliability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and monitor technical NPI, prototype, qualification, and development manufacturing orders from release through completion
• Own and maintain NPI milestone schedules, including material readiness, tooling readiness, engineering deliverables, manufacturing start dates, and customer commitments
• Manage all open NPI manufacturing orders, including release timing, due date accuracy, order status, aging orders, holds, shortages, and recovery actions
• Review MRP messages, planning exceptions, and material constraints to identify and communicate risks before they impact commitments
• Maintain accurate planning data within the MRP/ERP system, including due dates, order status, and material requirements
• Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure availability of raw materials, outside processing, tooling, components, and required services
• Partner with Engineering and Estimating to understand technical requirements, drawing status, BOM readiness, specification changes, quoting priorities, and lead time assumptions
• Provide timely and accurate updates to Sales and internal stakeholders regarding project status, schedule risks, recovery plans, and revised commitments
• Recommend and coordinate adjustments when material, engineering, capacity, quality, or technical constraints impact delivery
• Track and communicate project status using open order reports, milestone trackers, and planning tools
• Support documentation of build plans, routers, sign-offs, customer requirements, and project records
• Identify planning gaps, process inefficiencies, and recurring risks; recommend improvements to NPI leadership
• Support safety practices, housekeeping standards, continuous improvement initiatives, and company values

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business, or related field preferred
• 35+ years of experience in production planning, program planning, project coordination, supply chain, manufacturing, or NPI planning
• Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments strongly preferred
• Experience supporting technical, prototype, development, qualification, aerospace, defense, or engineered-to-order projects preferred
• Experience using an MRP/ERP system required
• Strong understanding of manufacturing order management, material planning, scheduling, and capacity constraints
• Ability to interpret engineering and manufacturing documentation (drawings, routers, BOMs, specifications)
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, Estimating, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, shifting schedules, and urgent customer needs
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high level of ownership and follow-through
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• APICS CPIM/CSCP certification preferred

Benefits:

At Rubbercraft, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

RCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources.

This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a "U.S. person" as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.