Director, Planning and Production Control

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

About The Position

The Director, Planning and Production Control oversees and optimizes production planning, inventory management, and material flow across the organization. The role aligns production schedules with customer demand, uses resources effectively, and ensures materials are available to meet production goals. The Director leads planning professionals and collaborates across departments to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure on-time product delivery. The position develops production planning strategies, oversees master production schedules and inventory control, manages continuous improvement, and monitors risks involving production delays, material shortages, and capacity constraints. It establishes and tracks KPIs, reports to senior leadership, manages the departmental budget, and uses advanced planning and scheduling (APS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools. The Director also ensures compliance with applicable industry regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols. The role may include other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field, or 12 or more years of an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
At least 5 years in a leadership role.
Deep understanding of SIOP, MRP, master scheduling, and capacity planning.
Ability to work with local supply chain teams on Planning BOMs, S&OP metrics, and inventory plans.
Proficiency with manufacturing software and tools, including ERP systems, APS, and data analytics platforms.
In-depth knowledge of manufacturing principles, processes, and technologies, including lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies, including in aerospace and defense manufacturing.
Strong project management skills, including experience managing large-scale production projects.
Thorough understanding of relevant policies and practices.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational and managerial skills.
Ability to set long-term goals and communicate them to others.
Ability to motivate and organize multiple efforts to accomplish goals.
Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods and to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or eligible asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3); certain positions may require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR requirements, or be eligible for an export license when required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
APICS, Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant supply chain or production control certification.
Occasional travel within the Continental U.S. may be required.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement production planning strategies aligned with organizational goals and effective use of resources, labor, and materials.
Oversee master production schedules and ensure alignment with demand forecasts, capacity, and materials availability.
Direct inventory control for raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods to limit excess while meeting production needs.
Identify and implement continuous improvements and best practices in production planning and control to improve efficiency and reduce lead times.
Lead, mentor, and develop planning and production control professionals and foster a high-performance culture.
Coordinate production operations with manufacturing, procurement, engineering, sales, and local supply chain teams.
Monitor and mitigate risks related to production delays, material shortages, and capacity constraints.
Establish and track KPIs and provide regular reports to senior leadership.
Manage the departmental budget and control production planning, inventory, and material-handling costs.
Use APS, ERP, and other planning tools to improve planning accuracy and efficiency.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned.