Production & Inventory Coordinator

Production & Inventory Coordinator

Location: Lumberjacks Hardwood Center – Chattanooga, TN
Schedule: Full-Time | 40–50 hours per week
Compensation: Approximately $50,000 annually, with production-based bonus eligibility after training
Reports To: Administrative Manager
Supervises: All shop personnel

Position Summary

The Production & Inventory Coordinator is responsible for directing daily shop operations, managing production flow, and controlling inventory through all stages of processing. This role serves as the primary shop authority, coordinating kiln scheduling, inventory allocation, surfacing flow, pallet production support, receiving activities, and customer assistance to ensure materials, labor, and customer needs are aligned with operational priorities.

This position requires strong independent thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to identify inefficiencies and work directly with upper management to implement practical, results-driven solutions. The role is both hands-on and leadership-focused within a fast-paced hardwood operation.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Shop Leadership

• Direct and prioritize daily work for all shop personnel
• Assign labor based on production needs, material availability, and workflow demands
• Maintain shop pace, safety, and operational standards
• Adjust sequencing and priorities in real time to prevent bottlenecks and downtime
• Coordinate with the Pallet Lead to align labor, materials, and production priorities with overall shop goals

Kiln Scheduling & Coordination

• Manage kiln schedules, including loading and unloading sequencing
• Coordinate kiln output with warehouse, surfacing, and pallet production needs
• Ensure kiln-dried material is properly identified, staged, and ready for downstream use

Inventory Control & Material Flow

• Oversee inventory movement through all stages: green, air-dried, kiln-dried, rough, and surfaced
• Allocate material appropriately between warehouse stock, customer orders, surfacing operations, and pallet production
• Maintain accurate inventory records, staging locations, and material status within online systems
• Ensure all pallet materials are available, staged, and allocated to meet pallet production requirements

Receiving & Material Verification

• Assist with and oversee receiving of inbound lumber and shop materials
• Verify species, dimensions, quantities, and condition upon receipt
• Direct unloading and proper staging of materials to support production flow
• Communicate discrepancies, damage, or shortages to the Administrative Manager

Pallet Production Coordination

• Work directly with the Pallet Lead to ensure pallet materials are consistently available
• Verify pallets are being built correctly and to specification
• Monitor pallet production pace to ensure timelines align with overall production goals
• Address material, quality, or workflow issues impacting pallet output and escalate as needed

Customer Assistance & Sales Support

• Assist walk-in customers alongside customer lead personnel on a daily basis
• Help identify appropriate wood species, dimensions, and material condition for customer projects
• Coordinate material availability with production and inventory status
• Support a professional, knowledgeable customer experience while balancing shop priorities

Systems, Communication & Operational Improvement

• Maintain accurate data in online inventory and production systems
• Provide regular production and inventory updates to the Administrative Manager
• Proactively identify workflow issues, material constraints, and operational inefficiencies
• Collaborate with upper management to develop, implement, and refine solutions
• Exercise independent judgment to improve production flow, inventory accuracy, labor efficiency, pallet quality, and on-time production performance

Qualifications

• Strong ability to identify wood species in both rough and surfaced form
• Experience in production, warehouse, manufacturing, or material-driven operations
• Proven leadership, organizational, and time-management skills
• Comfortable working in a hands-on environment while managing systems, people, and customer interactions
• Solid computer skills and ability to work within online inventory and tracking systems

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Operationally minded with a strong understanding of material flow and production sequencing
• Confident interacting with customers while maintaining shop efficiency
• Able to think independently and make sound decisions
• Communicates clearly with management, shop personnel, and customers
• Detail-oriented without losing sight of overall production and service goals

Growth & Incentives

• Production-based bonus eligibility after training completion
• Opportunity to influence shop systems, customer flow, and operational efficiency
• Long-term leadership role with increasing responsibility

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person