Material Planner

Protora•Norfolk, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Protora is hiring a Material Planner to coordinate material requirements, inventory availability, and procurement planning in support of manufacturing operations. The role works with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Programs to ensure materials and components are available to support production schedules, customer commitments, and operational readiness. An initial priority is supporting material planning and inventory readiness for Protora’s new manufacturing facility, including establishing planning processes, coordinating material availability, and supporting production startup. The ideal candidate has analytical and organizational strengths and hands-on experience in material planning, inventory management, and manufacturing operations, preferably in a complex technical environment. The position is on-site in Norfolk, Virginia, and pays $25.50–$28.85 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Requirements

B.S. in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
At least 3 years of material planning, production planning, inventory management, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage material requirements, inventory, and production-related data.
Working knowledge of bills of material (BOMs), production schedules, purchasing processes, and inventory controls.
Strong Excel skills and ability to analyze material requirements, inventory data, and planning reports.
Experience coordinating with Purchasing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
Effective communication and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and escalate material shortages and delivery risks.

Nice To Haves

Experience in aerospace, defense, radar, electronics, or complex electromechanical manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing or new product introduction.
Familiarity with configuration-controlled materials, engineering changes, and quality-driven manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting new manufacturing facilities, production startups, or operational expansion.
APICS/ASCM CPIM certification or related supply chain credentials.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain material plans aligned with production schedules, forecasts, and program requirements.
Monitor material availability, inventory levels, lead times, and demand to identify potential shortages or production delays.
Coordinate with Purchasing and suppliers to ensure timely availability of materials, components, and assemblies.
Review bills of material, inventory records, and production requirements to identify material needs and discrepancies.
Support material requirements planning (MRP), including maintaining accurate planning data, order quantities, and replenishment parameters.
Track open purchase orders, material shortages, and delivery commitments; communicate risks and recommended corrective actions.
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Programs to address material availability, engineering changes, and production schedule adjustments.
Support inventory accuracy, cycle-count activities, and reconciliation of material discrepancies.
Identify opportunities to improve inventory efficiency, reduce excess or obsolete materials, and optimize material flow.
Support material planning and inventory readiness for Protora’s new manufacturing facility, including initial material requirements, inventory setup, and production ramp-up.
Develop and improve material-planning procedures, reporting, and tracking tools to support consistent execution as operations grow.
Provide regular updates on material status, shortages, delivery risks, and production readiness.