Job: Production Planning Specialist
Job Description
Job Type: Full time, Salaried
Wage: $55,000-$75,000/yr.
Location: Penrose, CO.
Job Description:
Estes is the world leader in model rocketry. For over 60 years, we’ve been igniting imaginations and inspiring the next generation of explorers through innovative STEM education products. Our mission is to deliver safe, fun, and educational experiences to classrooms, camps, clubs, and families across the globe.
We’re looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Production Planning Specialist to join our operations team. This role plays a key part in ensuring the smooth coordination of production schedules, efficient use of resources, and timely fulfillment of customer orders.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain production schedules to align with customer orders, inventory targets, and delivery deadlines.
Coordinate day-to-day planning across both assembly and manufacturing operations.
Collaborate with purchasing, engineering, and inventory teams to ensure timely availability of materials and components.
Track production progress, identify bottlenecks or delays, and initiate corrective actions as needed.
Communicate production priorities and scheduling updates to team leaders and floor supervisors.
Review work orders and job travelers to verify accuracy of bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and labor allocations.
Analyze capacity and resource needs to balance workloads across shifts and work centers.
Partner with quality control to ensure finished goods meet internal and customer standards.
Maintain accurate production records, schedules, and performance metrics.
Prepare regular reports on production efficiency, output, and backlog status.
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in scheduling, floor layout, and workflow optimization.
Act as a liaison between operations, logistics, and customer service to support order fulfillment.
Adjust production plans in response to equipment downtime, labor availability, or urgent customer needs.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in production planning or operations within a manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience supporting both assembly and machining/fabrication processes.
Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and a solid understanding of production workflows.
Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
Effective communicator with the ability to work cross-functionally across departments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other planning or scheduling tools.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.