Production Planning Manager
About The Position
From Engine Bay to Payload, we protect vital structures and systems. Hera Technologies is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in high-precision metallic and non-metallic solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space sectors. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has positioned us as an industry leader in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of thermal support systems. Our team is driven by excellence, integrity, and a passion for advancing aerospace technology. Take the next step in your career with a company committed to excellence, where your contributions are recognized, and your potential is realized. Role Overview: Hera Technologies is seeking a highly organized and strategic Production Planning Manager to build, scale, and lead the company’s planning function in support of aerospace and defense manufacturing programs. As a member of the site leadership team, this role will be joining us at a foundational level to help build a high-performing planning team and robust processes from the ground up, to support our business growth. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader who is action orientated, brings a strong balance of hands-on planning expertise, people leadership, and strategic judgment—able to make trade-offs between demand, capacity, cost, and schedule while maintaining confidence in customer and program commitments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations preferably within aerospace and defense industry
- 2+ years of people leadership experience with direct reports
- Demonstrated experience managing demand, capacity, and delivery commitments in a manufacturing environment
- Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and capacity planning methodologies
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-mix / low-volume manufacturing environments
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to support strategic decision-making with data
- Excellent communication skills with experience influencing cross-functional and executive stakeholders
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading planning organizations in AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience leading teams through an ERP system transition project
- Working knowledge of Epicor ERP
- Background supporting CNC machining, fabrication, and complex aerospace assemblies
- Experience supporting growth, program ramps, and changing demand profiles
- APICS/CPIM or similar professional certification
- Background working in a growing or entrepreneurial organization
Responsibilities
- Own the master production schedule, balancing customer demand, program priorities, and manufacturing capacity
- Translate sales forecasts, customer contracts, and program demand into executable production plans
- Establish and manage firm delivery commitments in coordination with Operations, Programs, and Commercial teams
- Evaluate demand scenarios and recommend schedule strategies that protect delivery performance and operational stability
- Lead short- and long-term capacity planning across machining, fabrication, and assembly operations
- Analyze constraints, bottlenecks, and load vs. capacity to inform staffing, overtime, outsourcing, and capital investment decisions
- Partner with leadership to develop capacity strategies that support growth, new program ramps, and peak demand periods
- Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of production planners and/or schedulers
- Set planning standards, priorities, and performance expectations for direct reports
- Serve as the primary planning interface between Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management.
- Clearly communicate schedule risks, capacity constraints, and demand trade-offs to leadership
- Drive alignment on delivery commitments and recovery plans when conditions change
- Collaborate with Purchasing Manager to identify and mitigate material risks
- Own production planning data and integrity within ERP/MRP systems
- Ensure BOMs, routings, lead times, and planning parameters support accurate demand and capacity modeling
- Develop KPIs and dashboards related to schedule adherence, capacity utilization, WIP, throughput, and on-time delivery
- Primary point of contact for troubleshooting MRP parameter issues, item master population and overall data integrity in ERP system
- Establish standard planning cadences (S&OP-style reviews, capacity reviews, execution meetings)
- Drive scalable planning processes that support growth and increasing program complexity
- Lead improvements in planning accuracy, forecast confidence, and schedule stability
Benefits
- Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance.
- Retirement plan participation (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
