Production Control Specialist
Department: Production
Reports To: Production Operations Manager
Direct Reports: None
Location: Warren, Rhode Island — on-site
Status: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
Rate: $28.00–$32.00 per hour, target $30.00
Position Summary
The Production Control Specialist is responsible for coordinating and expediting the daily flow of all production orders — customer, marketing, internal stock, and work-in-process orders from Purchasing — throughout the manufacturing process to ensure products are completed accurately, efficiently, and shipped on time. Working alongside the Production Operations Manager, this position serves as the central point of communication between Production, Purchasing, Customer Service, Quality Control, and Fulfillment.
This role combines production coordination, production systems management, and production reporting. The Production Control Specialist monitors work-in-process (WIP), prioritizes production based on customer commitments, maintains production schedules and reports, and proactively identifies and resolves bottlenecks before they impact delivery. The role executes against the daily production schedule released by the Production Operations Manager and is accountable for every released order moving through the facility to its committed date — or for flagging early, with data, when it will not. It publishes the on-time and at-risk picture on a fixed cadence, and is scoped as a senior specialist rather than a coordinator because it carries the working knowledge of the production schedule as depth behind the Production Operations Manager. Success in this role requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, a strong sense of urgency, and the directness to escalate a commitment at risk early and with the data, rather than absorbing it quietly.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Production Coordination
- Coordinate the daily flow of all production orders throughout the manufacturing process.
- Monitor all open work orders to ensure production milestones are met and customer ship dates remain on schedule.
- Prioritize work based on customer commitments, production capacity, and business needs.
- Expedite high-priority, VIP, and rush orders through each manufacturing department.
- Own the movement of every released order through the facility to its committed date — through every stage, finishing, wash and polish included — and flag it early, with data, when a date will not be met.
- Before a push-in or expedite is released, surface its effect on existing commitments — which orders slip and by how much — so the trade is made with the data in front of it.
- Work closely with department supervisors and team leaders to balance workloads and maximize production efficiency.
- Monitor work-in-process (WIP) and quickly identify production delays or bottlenecks.
- Escalate production issues and recommend solutions to the Production Operations Manager.
Work Order Management
- Review and maintain production work orders in the system, and release them against the schedule set by the Production Operations Manager.
- Verify work orders contain accurate customer personalization, metal type, gemstone information, sizing, and special instructions.
- Ensure all required materials, documentation, and routing accompany each order throughout production.
- Update work order status throughout the manufacturing process.
- Monitor aging work orders and follow up to ensure timely completion.
ERP & Production Systems Management
- Maintain accurate production information within the company’s production system of record.
- Update production routing, work order status, inventory transactions, and order completion throughout the day.
- Monitor ERP dashboards to identify delayed orders, material shortages, and scheduling conflicts.
- Generate production reports to support scheduling, and operational decision-making.
- Ensure production data remains accurate and synchronized across ERP software and supporting documentation.
- Support system implementation and testing, process improvements, and adoption of new workflows on the floor.
Production Reporting
- Maintain daily production spreadsheets tracking work-in-process, production priorities, and order status.
- Publish the daily on-time and at-risk view on a fixed cadence to a standing distribution — the Production Operations Manager, the VP of Production & Operations, and leadership — drawn directly from the production system of record.
- Report the figures as the system reports them. Where a number needs context — a supplier failure, equipment down, a rework loop — publish the context alongside it, not in place of it.
- Track key production metrics and assist in maintaining departmental KPI dashboards.
- Analyze production data and communicate trends, risks, and capacity concerns.
- Compile daily, weekly, and monthly production reports.
- Support the Production Operations Manager with scheduling, reporting, and production projects.
Material & Inventory Coordination
- Verify precious metals, gemstones, findings, castings, packaging materials, and other production components are available before work begins.
- Coordinate with Purchasing and Inventory to resolve shortages quickly.
- Monitor material availability to prevent production delays.
- Ensure materials are accurately issued, tracked, and returned in accordance with company procedures.
- Conduct cycle counts and physical inventory on the schedule set by Supply Chain, and reconcile material issued to and returned from work orders.
Cross-Functional Communication
- Serve as the communication link between Production, Inventory, Purchasing, Customer Service, Quality Control, and Shipping.
- Provide accurate order status updates to Customer Service.
- Coordinate daily production priorities with department supervisors.
- Notify the Production Operations Manager of issues affecting production schedules or customer commitments.
- Work closely with Shipping to ensure completed orders are prepared for on-time shipment.
Workflow & Continuous Improvement
- Identify workflow inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
- Assist with the implementation and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Identify and drive the changes that reduce production lead times and changeover delay.
- Help improve scheduling accuracy, workflow efficiency, and production reporting.
Coverage & Continuity
- Direct any additional seasonal or temporary support added during periods of higher volume. Adding people to the floor does not move the accountability for on-time completion — it stays with this position.
- Carry the production schedule and system knowledge as depth behind the Production Operations Manager, and cover the daily release and priority calls during planned absences.
Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, or equivalent work experience preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in production coordination, manufacturing scheduling, inventory control, or production planning.
- Experience in fine jewelry manufacturing or other high-value, custom manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems; experience implementing or migrating one is a strong plus.
- Demonstrated ability to build a schedule or report from system data — not only to maintain one built by someone else.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, filtering, sorting, pivot tables, and reporting.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Teams, and shared cloud-based spreadsheets.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Core Competencies
- Production Scheduling
- Work Order Management
- ERP Systems
- Manufacturing Coordination
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Spreadsheet Management
- Time Management
- Organization
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Independent Judgment
- Customer Focus
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Team Collaboration
- Sense of Urgency
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both an office and manufacturing environment.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the production floor as needed.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to use computers and standard office equipment for extended periods.
Benefits
Full-time employees, defined as 30 or more hours per week, are eligible for:
- Medical coverage through UnitedHealthcare, with multiple plan options and preventive care covered at 100% in network
- Dental coverage through Delta Dental of Rhode Island
- Vision coverage through VSP
- 401(k) through Guideline, with employer matching
- Employer-paid term life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance through Unum
- A confidential Employee Assistance Program through Unum, covering mental health, financial, and legal support
- 50% employee discount on HAVERHILL jewelry, with payroll deduction available
- Optional voluntary coverage through Colonial Life and Pet Discount Plus at group rates
Full plan documents and coverage details are available during the interview process.
Equal Opportunity
A stone returns light because it's cut from many angles, not one. The same is true of a team.
HAVERHILL is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national or ancestral origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This applies to every employment decision we make, including hiring, compensation, promotion, training, and termination.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, contact [email protected].