Sr Production Control Specialist | A shift

BLUE ORIGIN•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Production Control Specialist to serve as the Production Control subject matter expert across Blue Thrusters manufacturing, including valves, igniters, thrust chambers, and final assembly. The role owns the flow of material and information through the production system, ensuring parts are available where and when needed and that inventory does not remain idle without reason. This is a production control leadership position focused on the speed and discipline of material movement through the factory. The specialist establishes standards for identifying constraints and communicating priorities, develops the production control capability of the organization, and mentors other specialists. The role also owns material flow strategy, production velocity, inventory controls, ERP/MRP processes, cross-functional resolution of constraints, AI-assisted tools, and continuous improvement. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The preferred qualifications also note flexibility to work varied shifts, overtime, and occasional weekends.

Requirements

At least 7 years of production planning, scheduling, and material control experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems in a production environment.
Experience managing material flow across multiple concurrent production programs with competing priorities.
Ability to identify constraints early, drive cross-functional resolution, and keep production moving.
Demonstrated skill using AI tools to optimize workflows.
Strong understanding of inventory control, including cycle counting, backflush, WIP reconciliation, and scrap disposition.
Experience implementing or significantly improving material stocking strategies and floor stock controls.
Ability to mentor and improve the capabilities of other production control specialists.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Understanding of and ability to apply continuous improvement tools, including Lean, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
Experience in aerospace or propulsion hardware manufacturing environments.
Ability to read, write, and run SQL.
Experience defining system requirements for manufacturing execution platforms and partnering with development teams to build functionality.
Experience developing or deploying AI-assisted tools, such as predictive analytics, KPI dashboards, or visual management automation.
Experience at a high-velocity manufacturer where speed, flow discipline, and waste elimination are cultural norms.
Lean Six Sigma certification at Green Belt level or higher.
Familiarity with PLM systems such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or equivalent.
Flexibility to work varied shifts, overtime, and occasional weekends.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Production Control subject matter expert across Blue Thrusters value streams, owning material flow strategy from raw stock through finished goods across valves, igniters, thrust chambers, and final assembly.
Establish and enforce production control best practices across value streams, and mentor Production Control Specialists at all levels.
Promote velocity, accountability, and constraint-based thinking, addressing the root causes of material stagnation.
Represent Production Control in program forums, production readiness reviews, and leadership readouts.
Resolve complex material flow problems, including multi-program conflicts, stranded inventory, and schedule breaks.
Own the controlled flow of materials and services across the production system.
Monitor job velocity and partner with Production leadership to ensure work completes on schedule; surface and drive resolution of constraints.
Implement and refine material stocking strategies on production lines and control floor stock levels using data and disciplined processes.
Monitor the velocity of MRB disposition and stranded material.
Schedule and expedite parts through move orders, stock transfers, and shipping requests, coordinating with warehouse, inspection, quality, operations, purchasing, engineering, logistics, and program teams.
Execute shop order release and closure in the MRP system and reconcile parts accurately and consistently.
Prepare work orders based on the master production schedule, shop load, and inventory requirements.
Enter material transactions in the ERP system accurately.
Process scrap and obsolete inventory from WIP locations, and manage cycle count preparation, execution, and reconciliation.
Understand backflush processes and their effects on inventory accuracy.
Define manufacturing execution software requirements and partner with development teams to iterate and introduce functionality.
Provide detailed, real-time status of work in progress, material availability, and schedule constraints.
Coordinate cross-functionally to expedite shortages and resolve part discrepancies, material gaps, and schedule conflicts before they cascade.
Prepare reports that identify shortages, damage, and flow disruptions.
Develop and deploy AI-assisted tools, including predictive analytics, process optimization, and KPI visual management systems, to provide real-time production visibility.
Use AI productivity tools to improve operations, visual management, and workflow documentation, and build team capability with AI-enabled workflows.
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen as continuous improvement practices to identify, quantify, and eliminate waste.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Depending on role type and job level, potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and other factors; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed