Planning Manager

About the role

Ascent Aviation Services is one of the largest aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, storage and reclamation operations in the world. We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic professional to lead and manage the Planning and Production Control functions within our aviation organization. As the Planning Manager, you will oversee production scheduling, resource allocation, and workflow optimization to ensure seamless operations. This role is responsible for forecasting, planning, and ensuring compliance with industry standards while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership abilities, an understanding of an MRO facility operations, and the ability to guide a high-performing team toward excellence. Experience in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) environments is highly preferred, and holding an A&P License is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and schedule aircraft maintenance tasks while ensuring full compliance with FAA regulations and Ascent Aviation Services guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance, Inspection, and related teams to ensure tasks are properly sequenced.
• Communicate and coordinate with all teams to guarantee that the work scope, workflow, and sequencing are aligned with Maintenance and Inspection requirements.
• Ensure that all applicable airworthiness directives, service bulletins, engineering orders and other documentation referenced in the work package accompany the work cards to Production Control for accomplishment.
• Translate customer work scopes into clear work instructions and ensure necessary documentation accompanies work packages.
• Oversee the creation of critical path flow charts and ensure routine maintenance checks are accurately estimated and entered planning software.
• Maintain Facility Maintenance Slot chart to track sold and potential projects.
• Attend and sometimes host weekly Maintenance-lookahead meetings with the Sales and Operations Department.
• Manage staffing requirements, coordinating manpower and resources for billable work and upcoming projects in collaboration with HR and Sales.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, provide coaching, and lead training efforts to ensure qualified personnel are in place.
• Track applied man-hours and maintain the Facility Maintenance Slot chart to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Produce reports, recaps, and statistical data for senior leadership to monitor progress and performance.
• Drive improvements in productivity and cost reduction across the planning function.
• Ensure that all work performed is done in a safe manner.
• Direct activities to protect employees from harm and maintain safe working conditions.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to interpret technical data.
• Five plus years maintenance planning.
• Excellent communication (reading, writing, and understanding English).
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Adaptable to changing priorities and emergency situations.
• Effective collaboration across all organizational levels.
• Leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Basic knowledge of human behavior and management techniques.
• High school diploma or GED required; post-secondary education or training in aircraft maintenance or equivalent combination of education, training or experience.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred qualifications

• Aircraft Maintenance experience.
• A&P License.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation management.

Physical requirements

• Requires sitting, standing or walking for extended periods of time.
• Requires frequent walking, climbing and lifting, bending, reaching to shoulder level, carrying, pushing or pulling weight up to 20 pounds.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Working conditions

• Aircraft maintenance hangar, planning office.
• May be required to work at both Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ locations as business needs dictate.

Benefits

• 401K with company match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Disability
• PTO
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Development and Career Growth Opportunities
• EAP

Safety requirements

• Employees are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with company policies and government regulations.
• Employees shall participate in safety education programs and train to recognize hazards on the job and how to report them promptly.
• As a condition of employment, each member of Ascent Aviation agrees to report errors, incidents, and accidents honestly.
• Any employee who observes an unsafe action or condition should bring it to the attention of supervisors and managers.
• In all cases, the employee must notify his/her supervisor of any actions taken by the employee.
• The first employee to observe an accident or incident should take immediate action to alert appropriate responders/supervision and to take reasonable steps to prevent further injury, or damage.