Planner-New Product Introduction

At Spectrum Control, most departments operate on a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule in exchange for a 3-day weekend. We offer competitive wages and PTO, plus our benefits begin on day 1 of employment. Come join a workforce where we put you first!

JOB SUMMARY: The Planner-New Product Introduction creates and maintains master schedules for products, subassemblies, and materials within an assigned product line. With a primary focus on new product introduction (NPI), this role develops production and material plans as products move from prototype through launch and into production. Working with Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Purchasing, and suppliers, the Planner coordinates build schedules and material readiness to support launch timelines.

The role includes planning and buying for existing product lines as needed. Across new and legacy products, it balances delivery, quality, inventory, and cost goals while responding to changing business and production needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Create and maintain master production schedules for products and subassemblies using customer orders, forecasts, and planned inventory requirements.
• Plan material needs and coordinate availability for development builds, new product launches, and ongoing production.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Program Management, and suppliers to align NPI schedules, identify risks, and resolve shortages or schedule conflicts.
• Coordinate internal and external builds, including engineering experiments, sample production, and subcontracted work, in accordance with applicable quality requirements.
• Communicate demand and schedule changes to Purchasing and Manufacturing to support timely supply and appropriate inventory levels.
• As needed, place purchase orders and follow up with suppliers on delivery commitments.
• Support planning and buying for legacy products as business needs require.
• Coordinate the planning and material impacts of engineering changes, rework, returns, and customer requests.
• Monitor delivery performance, maintain accurate planning and purchasing data in company systems, and communicate issues to relevant teams.
• Identify practical opportunities to improve planning processes through automation, AI, and other tools.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three to five years of experience that includes both production planning and purchasing, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to learn new products, systems, and processes quickly and take a hands-on approach to solving problems.
• Ability to work across functions, adapt to shifting priorities, and balance planned work with immediate production needs.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office, and data analysis or business intelligence tools such as Power BI.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience planning materials or production for new product introductions.
• Experience with CAV and WAWF systems.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other manufacturing environments with stringent quality and documentation requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position will be based at Spectrum Control’s facility in Marlborough, MA.
• The role operates in a professional office environment with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor and at supplier facilities.
• The role requires frequent collaboration across multiple locations and functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
 

Third-Party Recruiters

Please note, that per Spectrum Control Policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our values and expectations. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Spectrum Control will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. If you or your agency are interested in becoming an approved vendor please contact [email protected].