Production Control Trainee/Production Control Planner

RBC•Santa Ana, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

RBC Bearings Incorporated is seeking a Production Control Trainee or Production Control Planner for their Santa Ana, CA location. This role involves supporting daily production and supply chain activities within a manufacturing environment. The position requires collaboration with various departments, management of orders, creation of shop orders, execution of MRP processes, monitoring material availability, and adjusting schedules to meet production requirements. The role also involves analyzing inventory levels, expediting materials, supporting supplier performance, coordinating with Quality, assisting with warehouse operations, and communicating status updates to stakeholders. The company is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings and components for industrial, defense, and aerospace industries.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business management, operations management, logistics, or another related field.
Trainee: 0-1 years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, production control, or related field preferred.
Planner: 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, production control, or related field preferred.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support decision-making
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment while managing multiple priorities
Basic understanding of production planning, scheduling, capacity constraints, and material flow concepts
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis) and other Microsoft Office applications
Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to communicate effectively across cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Customer Service
Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, identify issues, and propose solutions
Ability to manage changing priorities and adapt quickly to shifting business conditions
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate in a team-oriented environment
Basic understanding of inventory management principles, including inventory turns, safety stock, and excess/obsolete material
Ability to track and report key performance metrics related to planning, inventory, and supplier performance
Must be either a US citizen, lawful permanent resident ('green card' holders) or have refugee or asylee status due to ITAR and EAR compliance.

Nice To Haves

Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in planning, logistics, operations, or data analysis is a plus.
Experience within aerospace manufacturing is a plus.
Working knowledge or exposure to ERP/MRP systems, including order management and planning transactions is a plus
Exposure to data visualization or reporting tools (e.g., Power BI) preferred
Demonstrated ability to support continuous improvement initiatives and process standardization efforts

Responsibilities

Collaborate closely with the Materials Manager, Buyer/Planners, Manufacturing Supervisors, Engineers, and Operations teams to support daily production and supply chain activities
Manage both stock and non-stock orders within a manufacturing environment, ensuring accuracy and timely execution
Support plant customer service and inventory objectives by effectively managing raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), buffers, and finished goods
Create and release shop orders while assisting in scheduling work centers to meet production requirements
Execute MRP processes, including purchase order creation, maintenance, and resolution of invoice discrepancies
Monitor material availability and generate shortage reports, proactively identifying risks and recommending solutions
Adjust order schedules (expedite or defer) to align with changing demand, supply conditions, and production priorities
Analyze and maintain appropriate inventory levels for assigned components and commodities
Expedite materials and orders with both internal manufacturing teams and external suppliers to meet delivery commitments
Support supplier performance by monitoring on-time delivery, identifying potential disruptions, and escalating issues as needed
Coordinate with the Quality department to address non-conforming material and supplier-related quality issues
Assist with warehouse operations, including raw material handling, shipping, and receiving activities as required
Communicate order status and potential risks to Customer Service and internal stakeholders
Track daily/weekly production schedule adherence and report variances
Support recovery planning efforts to bring schedules back on track
Identify and escalate data inaccuracies that impact MRP results
Support disposition plans (rework, usage, scrap, return)
Maintain a prioritized shortage tracker tied to production impact
Support dashboard/report development (Excel, Power BI)
Participate in daily/weekly production or materials meetings