LOCATION: Portland Oregon

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Inventory Control & Production Planning Coordinator is a dual-purpose role responsible for maintaining accurate inventory control while also creating, managing, and communicating production schedules. This position serves as a key link between inventory, purchasing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure material availability, optimized production flow, and on-time delivery. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance transactional inventory work with forward-looking production planning.

Deliverables & Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate inventory records and controls across systems and physical counts
• Develop, maintain, and communicate production schedules aligned with demand and capacity
• Ensure materials, labor, and equipment are aligned to meet production requirements
• Provide timely and accurate inventory and production performance reports
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory accuracy, scheduling, and workflow

KEY ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Inventory Control Responsibilities

• Perform and support daily inventory control transactions including adjustments, discrepancies, and vendor returns
• Execute and support cycle count programs, including count selection, reconciliation, variance analysis, and justification
• Plan, execute, and reconcile physical inventories between systems and physical counts
• Prepare and distribute inventory reports including inventory valuation, raw material usage, and discrepancies
• Support and enforce proper inventory control procedures across departments

Production Planning & Scheduling Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and adjust production schedules for the facility
• Plan and slot work orders, establish capacities and lead times, and verify delivery dates
• Develop master production schedules to meet customer demand, sales forecasts, and shipping commitments
• Conduct capacity planning to determine manpower, equipment, and material requirements
• Lead or participate in production planning and daily schedule update meetings
• Communicate schedule changes and priorities to all affected departments
• Analyze production specifications and plant capacity data to optimize workflow

General & Cross-Functional Responsibilities

• Work closely with sales, engineering, purchasing, inventory, and manufacturing teams
• Prepare and present inventory and production status reports to leadership
• Support ERP system transactions and continuous improvements (Epicor, Visual, or similar ERP systems)
• Participate in special projects and process improvement initiatives as assigned
• Follow company policies, procedures, and safety rules at all times
• Promote Astec’s core values and contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION & COMPETENCIES

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience in inventory control, production planning, or scheduling in a manufacturing environment; equivalent experience considered
• Working knowledge of ERP systems for inventory and production scheduling (Epicor, Visual, or similar preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); strong Excel skills preferred
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage changing priorities and deadlines
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy and accountability

SUPERVISORY & LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

• Effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Support and reinforce inventory control and production planning best practices
• Lead and facilitate planning discussions and schedule review meetings as required

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

·         Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers

·         Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business

·         Respect for all individuals

·         Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation

·         Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements: minimal to none

NOTE: This position responsible for certain internal control responsibilities.  These internal control responsibilities are verbally communicated to the incumbent and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office (on site)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment.  Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock.  The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures.  The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.