Manufacturing Inventory Specialist

Job Title: Manufacturing Inventory Specialist
Location: Arizona
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Reports To: Production Manager & Technical Director

About Pilgrim Aerospace

Pilgrim Aerospace is a high-precision manufacturing company specializing in aerospace-grade fasteners. Built on a foundation of quality, accountability, and innovation, we are proud to supply mission-critical components to leading aerospace OEMs. As an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) company, we value clarity, discipline, and continuous improvement. We are seeking a highly experienced, tech-savvy Manufacturing Inventory Specialist to help drive excellence in tooling and production support.

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Inventory Specialist will oversee all aspects of tooling inventory and kit management for our production floor. This includes real-time inventory tracking, procurement coordination, tool usage analysis, and kit assembly. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of manufacturing tooling, advanced knowledge of inventory systems, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach to operational support. This position plays a mission-critical role in minimizing downtime, optimizing tooling availability, and enabling production to perform at its highest level.

Key Responsibilities

Tooling Inventory Management:

• Maintain an accurate and well-organized inventory of all production tooling, including:
• Cold heading dies
• Hot heading dies
• Die cases
• CNC and lathe tooling
• Associated fastener production tools and accessories
• Conduct regular cycle counts and reconcile discrepancies in tooling records
• Establish and monitor minimum stock levels and reorder points for critical tools

Tool Kit Assembly & Distribution:

• Assemble precision heading kits with required dies, punches, and accessories for each production run
• Verify each kit against work orders and production schedules for accuracy and completeness
• Track tool condition upon return, documenting wear and recommending replacements
• Collaborate with production leads to ensure tooling readiness aligns with scheduling priorities

Procurement & Vendor Coordination:

• Generate and submit purchase requisitions for die punches and other consumables based on usage data
• Maintain relationships with vendors and tooling suppliers to ensure quality and timely delivery
• Analyze supplier performance and coordinate returns or rework of non-conforming tools
• Review and recommend cost-saving or efficiency-enhancing alternatives for tooling purchases

Data Management & Continuous Improvement:

• Maintain detailed records of tool usage, replacements, failure modes, and preventive maintenance
• Generate tooling usage reports and present findings to management for operational decision-making
• Support audits and compliance processes related to tool traceability and calibration
• Recommend and implement process improvements in tooling workflow, layout, and digital tracking

Collaboration & Support:

• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Purchasing to forecast tooling needs
• Participate in tooling-related root cause analysis for production issues
• Train operators and team members on proper tooling handling, storage, and safety protocols
• Champion the use of digital tools to improve visibility and reduce manual data entry errors

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in tooling inventory management within a high-precision manufacturing environment (aerospace or fastener industry preferred)
• Strong technical knowledge of cold/hot heading tooling and CNC/lathe operations
• Experience with inventory lifecycle tracking, kitting processes, and lean manufacturing principles
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and process discipline
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external suppliers
• Ability to work independently and prioritize in a fast-paced, environment
• Physical ability to lift tooling components (up to 50 lbs) and navigate a production floor safely

Benefits

• Competitive salary, based on experience
• Comprehensive health, dental.
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) plan
• Collaborative and values-driven work culture

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter through really. Only qualified applicants with relevant experience will be contacted for interviews.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience in the Aerospace or Fastener industry?
• Do you have technical knowledge of cold/hot heading tooling and CNC/Lathe operations?
• Do you have experience with inventory lifecycle tracking, kitting processes, and lean manufacturing principles?

Experience:

• Tooling Inventory Management: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Chandler, AZ 85224 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chandler, AZ 85224: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person