Senior Manager, Planning

Job Title: Senior Manager, Planning

Job Location: Torrance, CA

Salary Range: $150,000-$170,000/yr DOE

Stellant Systems, a premier manufacturer of critical power amplification products where our technologies and products are unparalleled in the industry. We specialize in the manufacture of microwave devices for ground-based, airborne and satellite communications, industrial and medical equipment, and radar; we are the only U.S. supplier of space-qualified Traveling Wave Tube and Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers.  We combine cutting-edge technology with world-class engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions. Together, we form an invincible company. 

As an employer of choice, our goal is to deliver an exceptional employee experience - we recruit diverse, high-performing talent to help our customers exceed their mission needs, which drives our employees to achieve their full potential.

Fundamental to our culture is our focus on core values, inclusivity in the work environment, and a unified dedication to continuous innovation and improvement. To serve our vast customer base ranging from the defense industry leaders to the U.S. and allied militaries, and medical communities, we need the world’s most dedicated and talented people. If these types of projects excite you, we’d love you to join our team and help us detect, protect, and connect.

About the Role

This is a key position that oversees the planning organization for The Stellant Torrance, CA facility focusing on leading a team of planning professionals and will be responsible for developing and executing to drive on-time delivery, material readiness, and schedule execution across our manufacturing enterprise. This role combines forward-looking production and material planning with real-time shop floor control, serving as the primary escalation point for material issues and operational disruptions. The ideal candidate brings aerospace or defense manufacturing experience, MRP system fluency, and proven people leadership skills. This role requires understanding of procurement, planning and manufacturing processes, budgeting and financial acumen, strategic and critical thinking, strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of planners; assign workloads, conduct performance management, and resolve most escalations independently without senior leadership involvement. Ensure tools, processes, and staff are aligned to business needs. Establish and maintain an effective and clearly defined training plan for the planning team.
• Oversee master production scheduling (MPS) aligned to customer delivery commitments, capacity constraints, and demand signals from S&OP.
• Serve as functional MRP owner: manage parameters (lot sizing, lead times, safety stock), analyze and drive exception message closure, and maintain system data integrity.
• Monitor real-time shop floor execution; identify schedule deviations early, manage work order priorities, and coordinate corrective actions to protect on-time delivery.
• Proactively identify material shortages and long-lead risks; partner with Procurement to drive mitigation strategies and own the material risk log through closure.
• Develop and publish planning KPIs — schedule adherence, kit delivery, MRP exception rates, material shortages and availability, EACs (estimate at completion), proposal material analysis — and create dashboards that provide leadership visibility into planning health. Analyze metrics and drive root cause / corrective actions to address any performance gaps.
• Represent Planning in program reviews, customer milestone meetings, and cross-functional operations forums.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions within the material planning organization through use of lean tools, standard work and training.
• Communicate material plans, forecasts, and strategies to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Material & Program Alignment: Ensure supplier materials meet program schedules, tracking deliveries, monitoring forecasts, and integrating with internal production/planning.
• Risk & Cost Management: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, optimize costs, support proposal efforts, manage budgets and perform EAC analysis.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with internal teams (engineering, finance, operations, program management, purchasing and planning) to align strategies and resolve complex issues. Develops and maintains excellent relationships with Supply Chain peers and other internal stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Leverages Stellant continuous process improvement methodologies and looks to drive continuous improvement and best-in-class planning performance.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Provide training and development opportunities to enhance team skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations, or related field; or equivalent aerospace/defense experience.
• 10+ years of planning or operations experience in aerospace, defense, or complex manufacturing.
• 5+ years of direct people management experience including performance management and team development.
• Hands-on MRP/ERP experience with ability to manage parameters and drive data integrity (SAP, Oracle, Infor, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools preferred.
• Knowledge of production planning and inventory management principles.
• High level of attention to detail and excellent time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) per ITAR requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification (or active pursuit).
• Experience in space, satellite, missile, or defense manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with AS9100, EVMS, and/or Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience managing planners in a mixed make/buy environment with long-lead and critical path materials.

Stellant Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (e.g. Green Card holder), or a protected individual as defined by the International Traffic in Arm Regulations (ITAR).