De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) is a storied name in the aerospace industry, recognized worldwide for its pioneering contributions to aviation and its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, DHC currently has approximately 2,400 employees across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as well as in markets and distribution hubs world-wide.
Established in 1928, De Havilland Canada has a rich history marked by the development of some of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built. These aircraft have served a variety of roles - from bush flying to commercial aviation - and are celebrated for their rugged durability, operational versatility, and excellence in performance.
Over the decades, De Havilland Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aviation industry. Today, we are more than just an aircraft manufacturer; we are a comprehensive aerospace company with capabilities that span design, production, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Our operations are supported by a team of skilled engineers, technicians, and industry professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.
Job Summary
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Production Planner to support the DHC-515 Canadair aircraft Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Calgary, Alberta.
This is an opportunity to contribute to an important Canadian aerospace manufacturing program, supporting the production readiness and execution of aircraft through final assembly.
The Production Planner plays a key role in translating the Master Production Schedule into executable manufacturing activities, ensuring that production orders, material availability, product structures, routings, and supporting documentation are aligned to meet aircraft assembly milestones.
Working closely with Manufacturing, Methods, Supply Chain, Procurement, Stores, and Program teams, the successful candidate will proactively identify production constraints, coordinate corrective actions, and support schedule recovery to maintain the flow of aircraft through the Final Assembly Line.
This role is ideally suited to someone who enjoys solving operational challenges, working collaboratively across functions, and making a direct impact on aircraft production performance.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning and Schedule Execution
- Translate Master Production Schedule milestones into detailed shop-order release plans and production execution priorities across FAL stations.
- Plan, generate, release, and monitor manufacturing shop orders to support aircraft assembly requirements.
- Maintain alignment between planned production start dates, shop-order execution, material readiness, and manufacturing capacity.
- Monitor work-in-progress, production order status, and upcoming assembly milestones to identify potential schedule risks.
- Coordinate production priorities and recovery activities to minimize disruption to aircraft assembly schedules.
Material and Manufacturing Readiness
- Review upcoming assembly requirements to ensure material, components, tools, manufacturing documentation, and supporting resources are available when required.
- Coordinate with Procurement, Stores, Inventory Management, and Supply Chain to resolve shortages, material transfer requirements, and supply constraints.
- Work with Methods and Manufacturing Engineering to identify and resolve product structure, bill of material (BOM), routing, and manufacturing documentation issues before shop-order execution.
- Proactively identify readiness gaps and coordinate corrective actions ahead of scheduled assembly activities.
- Support inventory allocation, shop-order material reservations, and intersite material movements in alignment with production requirements.
Production Control and Cross-Functional Coordination
- Participate in daily production meetings and periodic readiness reviews to communicate production status, constraints, and upcoming requirements.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Methods, Quality, Procurement, Stores, and Program teams to resolve production execution issues.
- Maintain visibility of open production orders, overdue activities, material shortages, and critical-path constraints.
- Escalate risks with clear recovery actions, ownership, and expected resolution dates.
- Support schedule recovery planning and assess the impact of material shortages, engineering changes, and manufacturing delays on assembly milestones.
ERP, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate production planning and shop-order information in the company's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
- Utilize ERP reports, Microsoft Excel, and other analytical tools to monitor manufacturing readiness, production progress, and schedule performance.
- Support the development and improvement of planning dashboards, readiness indicators, and exception-based reporting.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, manufacturing execution, material flow, and coordination between departments.
- Contribute to standardized planning processes and continuous improvement initiatives as the DHC-515 Final Assembly Line progresses through production.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Two or more years of experience in production planning, manufacturing scheduling, material planning, production control, or a related manufacturing operations role.
- Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing planning processes, including production orders, material requirements planning (MRP), inventory management, and production scheduling.
- Experience using ERP systems such as IFS, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent manufacturing planning platforms.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize competing production requirements.
- Effective communication and coordination skills, with the ability to collaborate across manufacturing and support functions.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work in a dynamic production environment.
Considered an Asset
- Experience in aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, final assembly, or other complex discrete manufacturing environments.
- Working knowledge of bills of material (BOM), manufacturing routings, shop-order release, and production readiness processes.
- Experience with IFS ERP.
- Familiarity with Power Query, Power BI, or other reporting and analytical tools.
- Experience coordinating material shortages, intersite transfers, or manufacturing schedule recovery.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical manufacturing documentation.
Work Schedule
This position supports Final Assembly Line operations in Calgary and requires flexibility to work assigned production shifts.
Current shift schedules are Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM or 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM, with scheduled weekend coverage approximately once per month. Shift assignments and schedules are subject to operational requirements.
Why work at De Havilland?
De Havilland Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated aircraft manufacturer dedicated to providing rewarding opportunities in a diverse and welcoming workplace.
- Work with a team that makes a true difference in the world-making it possible for people to travel around the globe efficiently, comfortably and safely.
- We’ve manufactured over 5,600 aircraft including the most advanced turboprop in the air today. Our experience and expertise in constructing the highest performing aircraft in the industry is second to none.
- Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are dynamic workplaces led by teams that support and encourage all employees.
- With a passionate team of innovators and a global network of support, De Havilland Canada proudly carries on it’s tradition as a leader in aerospace.
In addition to plenty of opportunities for career growth in a stimulating work environment, De Havilland Canada offers:
- Competitive wages
- Paid vacation
- Extended health benefits (medical, dental, vision, paramedical)
- Life insurance
- RRSP/DPSP Plan
- Employee and family assistance program
At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence. As such, it is expected that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals. Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.
At De Havilland Canada, we aim to be inclusive and diverse and provide equal opportunity for employment. All qualified applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, are encouraged to apply. De Havilland will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise your Talent Acquisition representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Any offer of employment is conditional on the completion of positive and satisfactory background checks, which may include, proof that you are legally entitled to work in Canada, professional references, verification of employment history, verification of educational background and criminal background checks.
