Material Planner

About the role

The Material Planner at Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division supports the development of innovative space-based electronic systems. They use Microsoft Dynamics Business Central and demand-driven planning principles to translate demand signals into actionable supply plans, ensuring material availability for low-volume, high-mix, and regulated aerospace and defense operations.

Responsibilities

• Quote purchased parts and material requirements for proposals, engineering changes, and program needs using supplier input, historical pricing, lead-time data, and ERP information.
• Analyze demand signals, forecasts, sales orders, work orders, bills of material, on-hand inventory, open supply, and lead times using planning systems to develop actionable material plans.
• Review and manage material requirements to support production schedules, prototype builds, engineering activity, and program priorities.
• Generate, review, and communicate planned supply actions, and coordinate with Procurement to convert approved requirements into purchasing activity.
• Apply demand-driven planning principles to support material flow, shortage prevention, schedule attainment, and inventory optimization.
• Maintain accurate planning data in ERP systems, including lead times, order policies, lot sizes, reorder settings, due dates, and other assigned planning parameters.
• Support material readiness for production by aligning demand, supply, and schedule requirements across Manufacturing, Planning, and Procurement.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to address part changes, nonconformances, obsolescence, alternates, new product introductions, and other material risks affecting supply continuity.
• Prepare and communicate material status, shortages, projected availability, quote inputs, and other planning metrics to leadership and program teams.
• Manage multiple priorities, follow through on commitments, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of material planning, production planning, buyer/planner, supply chain, or related experience in a manufacturing, aerospace and defense, electronics, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience using ERP or MRP systems to plan material requirements, manage supply signals, and maintain planning data.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Dynamics NAV, or comparable ERP systems.
• Working knowledge of bills of material, demand and supply planning, lead-time management, inventory drivers, order policies, shortage resolution, and schedule support.
• Experience supporting part quoting, material cost analysis, lead-time analysis, or proposal material inputs.
• Microsoft Office experience, especially Excel, and the ability to analyze data, maintain accurate records, and communicate status clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience planning electronic components, printed circuit board assemblies, machined parts, cable assemblies, or outside processing and services.
• Experience in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments supporting space, aerospace, or defense programs.
• Experience using demand-driven planning methods, buffer-based replenishment concepts, or similar planning disciplines.
• Experience supporting proposal activity, new product introduction, engineering changes, and long-lead material planning.
• Familiarity with government contracting environments and applicable material controls, including FAR or DFARS flowdowns, counterfeit parts prevention, and AS9100D or ISO9001 quality systems.
• CPIM, CSCP, or similar supply chain certification preferred; demonstrated ownership, sound judgment, and timely escalation and follow-through preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and execute work in compliance with company procedures and contractual requirements.