Production Control Analyst

Job Title: Production Control Analyst Location: Buffalo, NY (On-Site) Department: Operations / Production Control Reports To: Production Control Manager Employment Type: Full-Time Role Overview We are seeking a mid-level Production Control Analyst to support day-to-day execution of the established master production schedule and provide operational visibility into production performance. This role focuses on monitoring, analyzing, and improving schedule adherence through data-driven insights, cross-functional coordination, and early identification of risks. This position is analytical and execution-focused. The Production Control Analyst does not create or modify production schedules and does not own capacity planning. The role exists to ensure the operation stays on track against the plan that has already been set. Core Responsibilities Production Execution Support Support daily execution of the master production schedule Participate in daily production and operations meetings, providing clear plan vs actual performance updates Monitor shop-floor execution across work centers, projects, or production lines Production Performance Tracking Track and analyze planned vs actual production output Monitor throughput, labor efficiency, and work-in-process movement Partner with foremen and operations leadership to understand performance drivers and constraints KPI Monitoring and Reporting The Production Control Analyst is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and reporting on key production control KPIs, including but not limited to: Schedule adherence percentage (actual production completed vs scheduled production) On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) performance Work-in-Process (WIP) aging and flow time Production attainment vs plan Constraint and bottleneck impact on schedule performance Material availability impacts on execution The analyst ensures KPI definitions are consistent, data is accurate, and insights are actionable. Issue Identification and Root Cause Analysis Identify risks to schedule adherence before production falls behind When production performance is off plan: Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, Materials, and Production teams Perform structured root cause analysis related to materials, labor, quality, engineering readiness, or process constraints Develop data-supported recommendations and corrective action options Present findings and suggested plans forward to the Production Control Manager Cross-Functional Coordination Act as a liaison between Operations, Engineering, Procurement, and Materials Management Ensure material availability, inventory status, and production readiness align to the master schedule Support alignment and accountability across teams through shared data and performance transparency Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement Build and maintain production performance dashboards and reporting tools Perform advanced Excel analysis using pivot tables, formulas, lookups, and structured datasets Identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities using Lean and Six Sigma principles Support continuous improvement initiatives tied to schedule reliability and execution discipline Required Qualifications 3–6 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment Experience in production control, operations analysis, manufacturing analytics, or materials planning support Strong understanding of production planning concepts, materials management, and inventory flow Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and dashboards Experience supporting daily production meetings and operational decision-making Ability to communicate clearly with shop-floor leadership and management Preferred Qualifications Experience in discrete manufacturing, fabrication, or complex production environments Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma training or certification Experience supporting KPI-driven operations and tiered daily management systems