Position Description
The Production Planner is responsible for preparing and distributing Completion and OEM production planning documents. This role involves working with engineering structural and electrical data, the company’s Quality Assurance (QA) system, and customer specifications, including approved work authorizations. The core objective is to support all operational departments involved in aircraft-specific work by providing essential planning documents to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Create and distribute accurate production planning documents, essential in the maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, fabrication, assembly, and/or installation of aircraft components required for the aircraft specific work scopes.
- Distribute the approved engineering technical data per engineering index and/or OEM technical data with the planning documents.
- Development, updates and overall monitoring & control of the BoM, ensuring accurate production planning, smooth inventory management and efficient manufacturing operations.
- Develop, update, and manage work orders to reflect approved work scope and support effective planning & production activities
- Plan workflow for each department and operation, according to established shop specific sequences, upfront release schedules and Critical Path Tool (CPT) dates.
- Tracking production activities and daily schedule adherence. Understands status on planned activity barriers/issues.
- Ensure quick response time and delivery for any modified planning requirements due to additional work scope, engineering changes and/or shop and planning discrepancies.
- Communicate and coordinate with the necessary departments, Integrated Product Teams (IPT) representatives and departmental contacts as required, including resolution of issues and process improvements concerning production planning.
- Problem solve/troubleshoot (parts related issues and make needed corrections).
- Monitor purchasing updates from buyers. Understanding and track purchase orders against the approved BoM and production schedule.
- Support the ordering and expediting of material and parts, rescheduling if needed and enter revised plans.
- In conjunction with the Quality Control Inspector work on Production Control problems of diverse scopes demonstrating good Production Control judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Example: operational resequencing
- Collaborate with Procurement and Stores, coordinating priorities and ensuring that the team delivers.
- Monitor changes in Engineering and Production to expedite changes to the manufacturing building schedule to meet production requirements.
- Resolve any issues or problems which occur and where appropriate, elevation of issues to the Supply Chain Manager and/or Senior Management team as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong understanding of aircraft production planning processes, including fabrication, assembly, installation, and MRO operations.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, data indexes, and OEM technical documentation.
- Familiarity with Quality Assurance (QA) systems and regulatory compliance in an aviation manufacturing or maintenance environment.
- Proficient in Bill of Materials (BoM) management, work order development, and workflow scheduling.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, particularly in troubleshooting parts issues and planning discrepancies.
- Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across departments, including engineering, procurement, quality control, and production.
- Comfortable working with planning tools, ERP/MRP systems, and production scheduling software.
Education and Experience
- Post-secondary education or technical training in aviation maintenance, production planning, supply chain management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a production planning or control role, preferably within the aerospace or aviation sector.
- Experience with aircraft modification or completion programs is considered an asset.
- Familiarity with OEM and engineering change management processes.
- Prior experience working with cross-functional teams and coordinating planning in a complex, regulated environment.