Production Control Manager

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

In this role, you coordinate production schedules, align resource availability with customer requirements, and help optimize workflow across sales, logistics, and manufacturing. You maintain schedule accuracy, anticipate material needs, and support communication between departments to ensure on‑time delivery and operational efficiency. Your work strengthens production planning, mitigates delays, and supports high‑quality execution in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a primary liaison between sales, logistics, and manufacturing to coordinate production needs.
• Collaborates with internal teams to establish schedules and resource plans that meet customer requirements.
• Compares current and anticipated orders with raw‑material inventory and anticipates additional supply needs.
• Negotiates with outside suppliers to ensure accurate and timely delivery of materials.
• Integrates sales orders into the master schedule and coordinates required material, equipment, and staffing.
• Maintains and updates the master distribution schedule, informing stakeholders of any changes or delays.
• Participates in forecast meetings and leads planning discussions with sales, production, shipping, purchasing, and customer service.
• Prepares schedule performance updates and communicates key metrics, trends, and improvement areas.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project scheduling, planning, or coordination.
• Experience with project management software such as Microsoft Project or Primavera.
• Extremely proficient with production planning systems such as Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and support data‑driven scheduling decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage schedule dependencies and milestones.
• Experience adapting plans and resources to meet changing priorities.
• Ability to read, speak, and write in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification from the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods walking and standing on the production floor.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds. The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Mentions

• No travel required.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.