Planning Manager 

Position Summary 

The Aerospace Production Planning Manager is responsible for leading production planning, scheduling, and materials coordination activities to ensure the efficient manufacture and delivery of aerospace products. This role drives cross-functional alignment between manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and program management to meet customer commitments, optimize resource utilization, and maintain compliance with aerospace industry standards. 

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and operational leadership skills with deep knowledge of aerospace manufacturing environments, ERP/MRP systems, and production control processes. 

Key Responsibilities 

Production Planning & Scheduling 

• Develop and manage master production schedules to support customer delivery requirements and operational goals.  

• Balance production capacity, labor, machine availability, and material constraints to optimize throughput.  

• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules proactively to mitigate delays or disruptions.  

• Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and demand planning activities as required.  

• Ensure accurate production forecasting and inventory planning.  

Operations Coordination 

• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, procurement, quality, and logistics teams to ensure seamless production execution.  

• Coordinate new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes into production schedules.  

• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve flow and efficiency.  

• Support shop floor operations with prioritization and production control guidance.  

Inventory & Materials Management 

• Oversee material planning and inventory control strategies to maintain optimal inventory levels.  

• Ensure material availability aligns with production schedules and customer commitments.  

• Monitor supplier performance and coordinate with supply chain teams to address shortages or late deliveries.  

• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory through strategic planning initiatives.  

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement 

• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) including on-time delivery, schedule adherence, inventory turns, and capacity utilization.  

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and process standardization.  

• Support Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.  

• Develop and maintain planning procedures, workflows, and documentation.  

Leadership & Team Development 

• Lead, mentor, and develop production planners and schedulers.  

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance team environment.  

• Support workforce planning and departmental resource allocation.  

• Provide training on ERP/MRP systems and production planning best practices.  

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.  

• 5–10 years of production planning, scheduling, or operations management experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing.  

• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience.  

• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP.  Visual experience a plus.   

• Experience working in AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing environments.  

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.  

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or CLTD).  

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.  

• Familiarity with aerospace production environments including machining, assembly, composites, or avionics manufacturing.  

• Experience supporting government, defense, or commercial aerospace programs.  

• Knowledge of capacity planning and constraint management techniques.  

Key Competencies 

• Strategic Planning  

• Production Scheduling  

• Capacity & Demand Planning  

• Supply Chain Coordination  

• Leadership & Team Development  

• Process Improvement  

• Data Analysis & Reporting  

• Decision-Making Under Pressure  

• Customer Focus  

• Regulatory Compliance