Production Control Manager
NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJob Details New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. The Facilities and Logistics Operations Division (Div 6400) is responsible for the overall physical development and maintenance of the Laboratory. The objective of the division is to provide a safe physical environment that promotes the advancement and transfer of knowledge. Our core function is the stewardship, reliability, and safe operation of the Lab’s physical infrastructure, site structures, utility systems, and equipment. Our primary goal is to provide advanced workplaces, resilient infrastructure, and comprehensive logistics to enable optimal Laboratory operations with minimal disruption. The Logistics & Operations Planning Section (Section 643) is responsible for the strategic management and functional production operations that enable all logistics-related Laboratory activities. We exercise a Lab-wide purview to establish centralized control over all equipment, including personal property, non-collateral, and manufacturing assets. Our mission encompasses end-to-end Material Requirements Planning (MRP), equipment delivery, inventory control (WIP, loan pool, deliverables), and essential technical services. Furthermore, we provide specialized expertise in measurement systems, metrology, instrumentation, and technical logistics for project flight hardware, ensuring operational readiness and seamless support for the Laboratory's mission development and production processes. We invite you to join the Logistics and Operations Planning Section within the Facilities & Logistics Division to serve as Group Supervisor for the Production Control Group (643E) . This is a primary management position responsible for direct staff supervision, policy execution, and the strategic performance of laboratory transport and material movement assets. In this role, you will function as an inter-organizational leader and primary manager, responsible for supervising daily operations, assigning tasks, coordinating schedules and material readiness, and ensuring compliant delivery of production control services across the Laboratory. Tasks include but are not limited to: Leadership & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of direct report JPL employees (minimum of two or more FTEs), hourly staff, and/or contractor professionals across Production Control, Planning, and Scheduling. Establish goals, performance measures, training plans, and career development strategies. Monitor day-to-day activities of staff and make decisions/weighted recommendations on hiring, promotions, salary changes, performance appraisals, and coaching. Build a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on safety, reliability, accountability, open communication, and customer focus. Production Control Operations Oversee full production lifecycle activities, including work order release, shop floor confirmation, WIP tracking, and material staging and consumption reconciliation. Manage material availability analysis, kit readiness, inventory consolidation, BOM accuracy, material master integrity, and configuration control. Coordinate kitting activities across multiple inventory distribution points, consolidation areas, and shared resource work centers. Maintain complia…