Production Control Senior Planner

Karman Space & Defense•Huntington Beach, CA

50d

About The Position

The Senior Production Planner is a key strategic and operational role responsible for developing, optimizing, and overseeing complex production schedules to meet customer demands and internal objectives. This individual will lead planning initiatives, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and serve as a critical liaison between Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management. The ideal candidate brings deep experience with ERP/MRP systems, production planning, and materials management, along with a proactive mindset and leadership capabilities. Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry's most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or operations in a manufacturing or engineering-driven environment
Expertise in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar); ability to interpret and manipulate BOMs, routings, and work orders
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials planning, and inventory management principles
Ability to manage multiple, complex schedules with a high degree of accuracy and agility
Proven skills in root cause analysis, issue resolution, and performance tracking
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and project planning tools (MS Project or equivalent)
Strong communication skills-both verbal and written-with the ability to interact across all levels of the organization
Highly organized with excellent prioritization and problem-solving abilities
Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) in compliance with export control regulations

Nice To Haves

Experience in aerospace, composites, defense, or regulated manufacturing industries
APICS/CPIM or PMP certification
Familiarity with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma principles
Experience leading cross-functional teams or mentoring other planners

Responsibilities

Lead the development and continuous optimization of detailed, multi-department production schedules based on forecasts, demand changes, and capacity constraints
Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to ensure alignment of materials, manpower, and workflow across the supply chain
Oversee planning for long-lead items and complex BOM structures in coordination with Project Managers and Procurement
Maintain and improve MRP/ERP data integrity, including lead times, safety stock, routing, and production order details
Identify scheduling conflicts, bottlenecks, and supply chain risks; propose and execute solutions to maintain on-time delivery
Provide regular updates to stakeholders, including schedule performance metrics, material readiness reports, and recovery plans
Support new product introductions (NPI) and engineering change implementation through proactive schedule and material readiness planning
Analyze production trends, capacity utilization, and inventory levels to support strategic planning and resource decisions
Mentor junior planners and serve as a knowledge resource for planning tools, methodologies, and systems
Drive cross-functional process improvements in planning, material flow, and scheduling systems to reduce lead times and improve responsiveness
Participate in audits, customer readiness reviews, and internal improvement initiatives