Production Planning and Control

As a Production Planning and Control specialist at VSL, your main responsibilities include creating forecasts for material requirements, analyzing master schedules, collaborating on production planning with engineers, and ensuring a smooth logistics process for materials. You'll also focus on monitoring PP&C metrics to identify and implement improvements while upholding our AS9100 quality standards.

To qualify for the Production Planning and Control role at VSL, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in an engineering or manufacturing environment, ideally in aerospace, is required. Familiarity with material handling systems and lean manufacturing practices is also crucial.

Essential skills for a Production Planning and Control specialist at VSL include strong analytical and math skills to manage material planning and scheduling effectively. Technical proficiency in material requirements planning and scheduling software is vital. You should also have excellent organizational and time-management skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

VSL adheres to the AS9100 quality management system to ensure high-quality production planning. This involves rigorous processes to minimize damage and loss, alongside proactive communication and coordination across departments. Your role will be pivotal in upholding these standards, contributing directly to the timely and satisfactory delivery of quality products.

The base salary range for the Production Planning and Control position at VSL is between $99,705 and $124,683, plus bonuses and benefits. Compensation is dependent on various factors, including work location, relevant skills, experience, and education. Specific salary details will be discussed during the hiring process.

In your response, discuss specific projects or roles where you implemented production planning and scheduling. Highlight the tools you used and how your decisions positively impacted production outcomes, emphasizing your analytical skills and collaboration with engineering teams.

Discuss your approach to task prioritization, such as using matrices or software tools to assess urgency and importance. Provide examples from past experiences where your prioritization resulted in enhanced efficiency or minimized production delays.

Share your knowledge about lean manufacturing principles and specific methodologies you've successfully applied. Illustrate how these methodologies led to waste reduction and improved workflow in previous roles.

Talk about previous instances where you collaborated with diverse teams, like engineering or logistics, to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills, adaptability, and how those experiences improved project outcomes.

List the software tools you're familiar with, emphasizing any specific material requirements planning or scheduling systems, like Costpoint. Discuss how you utilized those tools to analyze data, streamline processes, and improve production flow.

Explain your problem-solving process when faced with unexpected production changes. Provide an example of a past situation, how you responded, and the positive result that followed from your timely action.

Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you consider essential for tracking production efficiency, such as cycle time, inventory turnover, and on-time delivery rates. Elaborate on how you monitor these metrics to inform your production planning.

Think of a specific project where your leadership produced significant results. Discuss the steps you took, the challenges faced, and how you managed the team to ensure project success, detailing your role and contributions.

Outline your strategy for training staff, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and providing hands-on experience. Mention ways you ensure staff understand and feel confident in the new processes.

Share your insights on challenges like regulatory requirements, demand variability, or supply chain disruptions. Discuss how your experience and strategic thinking can help address these challenges and contribute to improved production outcomes at VSL.