Job Description:
The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring material availability to meet production schedules, repair commitments, and customer delivery requirements. This role focuses on developing forecasts, monitoring inventory health, and coordinating with internal departments and suppliers to achieve optimal balance between cost, delivery, and quality. The position is key to maintaining smooth material flow across manufacturing, assembly, and MRO operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Develop, maintain, and adjust material plans to meet production and repair schedules based on demand forecasts, historical trends, and real-time updates.
Coordinate with purchasing, production control, and quality to ensure materials are ordered, received, and available on time to support manufacturing needs.
Track and analyze inventory levels, usage rates, and lead times; recommend adjustments to safety stock and reorder points to prevent shortages or excesses.
Review Bill of Materials (BOMs) and support cost estimates for new bids, quotes, and engineering changes.
Collaborate with suppliers to monitor delivery schedules and resolve issues such as late shipments, nonconformance, or discrepancies.
Create and maintain accurate reports on key metrics—such as inventory turns, material availability, and forecast accuracy—for management review.
Identify and implement process improvements in material planning and scheduling to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Communicate proactively with management about material risks, constraints, and recovery plans.
Participate in cross-functional meetings to support program readiness, production planning, and customer support requirements.
Maintain compliance with AS9100, FAA, and export control requirements in all material planning activities.
Job Requirements and Qualifications:
Skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent communication and coordination skills across departments and external partners.
Proficient in ERP/MRP systems, with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
Proficient Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel; tables, pivots, macros. Experience using Power Query, SQL, and databases is preferred.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated sense of urgency and accountability to support production timelines.
Knowledge and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in material planning, production control, or supply chain management in an aerospace or manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (such as Global Shop).
Understanding of manufacturing processes, BOM structures, and inventory management principles.
MRO experience preferred.
Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, and FAA quality systems.
Experience supporting U.S. Government or defense-related contracts preferred.
Work Eligibility (ITAR): This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident or persons with protected status. Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Thank you for your interest. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants chosen for further consideration will be contacted.
While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Thomas Instrument Inc. will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume
Thomas Instrument is an EEO employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, medical condition (GINA), or disability.