Planning Manager

Job Description

The Manager, Planning is responsible for leading the aerospace manufacturing planning team. Key responsibilities include delegating responsibilities, supervising operations, hiring, training, and coaching employees, resolving conflicts, analyzing information, generating reports, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Position Responsibilities

• Delegating responsibilities and supervising business operations
• Hiring, training, motivating, and coaching employees
• Assessing employee performance and providing feedback and training opportunities
• Solving conflicts or complaints from customers and employees
• Analyzing information and processes to develop more effective or efficient strategies
• Generating reports and presenting information to upper-level managers
• Ensuring staff members follow company policies and procedures
• Leading and managing the production planning team
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams including procurement, production, engineering, and quality assurance
• Developing and implementing production strategies to meet customer demands
• Monitoring and analyzing production data to identify trends and areas for improvement
• Planning and managing inventory levels to ensure adequate supply of materials while minimizing excess stock
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives, implementing lean manufacturing principles and best practices
• Coordinating with customer-facing teams to align production plans with customer orders and delivery timelines
• Providing regular updates and reports to senior management on production performance, resource utilization, and capacity planning
• Ensuring compliance with aerospace industry regulations, safety standards, and quality requirements
• Mentoring and developing planning team members
• Collaborating with Operations and Planners to agree upon a master plan and backlog recovery actions

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Advanced degree, MBA or MS preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience required, with minimum of 3-5 years in aerospace, defense, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a leadership role
• Ability to develop and manage direct reports
• Proven experience managing complex production and integration processes in a regulated environment
• Strong understanding of military compliance requirements, contract management, and WAWF processes
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems for production planning, order tracking, and process management
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate activities across multiple departments
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data and drive resolution of order fulfillment issues
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience in SplashBI and advanced MRP systems such as Oracle
• Experience with multi-level BOM’s and managing system-generated build times
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• APICS Certification (CPIM) or PMP Certification preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to speak and write persuasively
• Experience working with cross-functional teams
• Ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks
• Committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift up to 10 lbs., bend, etc.
• Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer
• May require travel to sites/program and special functions

Environmental Conditions

• Work is in an office and manufacturing environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required

Training

• This role requires weekly travel from Salt Lake City, UT to Simi Valley, CA for training for the first three months of employment
• Training occurs Monday through Friday, three weeks per month
• Travel, lodging, meals, and ground transportation will be provided

Clearance Level

• No Clearance

Salary Range

• $98,432 - $150,284

ITAR Requirement

• This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”).

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule, and a paid holiday shutdown.

About AV

• AeroVironment is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.