Program Material Planner

TRIDENT SYSTEMS LLC • Sterling, VA

18d • $67,000 - $111,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Material Planner (internal level III) owns program-facing material planning for assigned programs and serves as the primary Supply Chain point of contact for Operations Program Managers and program teams. The role translates schedules, demand signals, bills of material, inventory, open supply, and material risks into executable material plans. It provides dotted-line direction to assigned Material Planner IIs, coordinates common-component planning and shortage recovery, and drives material readiness across functional teams while following approved planning, procurement, engineering, and quality controls.

The position works across Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Program Management to support material readiness and production execution. It maintains ERP/MRP planning data, communicates risks and recovery options, and supports proposals, engineering changes, new product introductions, and long-lead planning. Occasional travel or off-site work may be required; other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, Engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 4 years of material planning, production planning, buyer/planner, program material control, supply chain, or related experience in manufacturing, aerospace and defense, electronics, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Experience using ERP or MRP systems to plan material requirements, manage demand and supply signals, evaluate shortages, and maintain planning data.
• Working knowledge of bills of material, demand and supply planning, lead-time management, inventory drivers, order policies, shortage resolution, material allocation, and production schedule support.
• Ability to coordinate material readiness across Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Program Management.
• Experience communicating material status, projected availability, risks, recovery actions, and schedule impacts to program teams or operational leadership.
• Experience coordinating or prioritizing work through dotted-line, project, or cross-functional influence.
• Experience supporting part quoting, material cost analysis, lead-time analysis, proposal material inputs, or long-lead material planning.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, communicate clearly, and execute work in compliance with company procedures and contractual requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience planning electronic components, printed circuit board assemblies, machined parts, cable assemblies, or outside processing and services.
• Experience in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments supporting space, aerospace, or defense programs.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Dynamics NAV, or comparable ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience using demand-driven planning methods, buffer-based replenishment concepts, or similar planning disciplines.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, engineering changes, long-lead material planning, production readiness, or material recovery efforts.
• Familiarity with government contracting material controls, including FAR or DFARS flowdowns, counterfeit parts prevention, and AS9100D or ISO9001 quality systems.
• CPIM, CSCP, or similar supply chain certification.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Supply Chain contact for assigned programs and Operations Program Managers regarding material readiness, shortages, long-lead material, open supply, projected availability, and material risk.
• Own the program material interface across Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Program Management.
• Provide dotted-line priority direction to assigned Material Planner IIs supporting common components, planning signals, shortage resolution, and material recovery actions.
• Analyze schedules, demand signals, forecasts, work orders, bills of material, inventory, allocations, open supply, lead times, and planning parameters to build program material plans.
• Lead material readiness reviews covering shortages, critical parts, long-lead risks, supplier exposure, inventory constraints, and recovery actions.
• Coordinate with Procurement on approved purchasing actions, supplier commitments, expedites, de-expedites, and recovery plans.
• Align with Manufacturing and site execution teams on production schedules, kitting, staging, material movement, and build priorities.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality on part changes, nonconformances, alternates, obsolescence, new product introductions, and technical material risks.
• Support proposals and engineering changes with quote inputs, lead-time assumptions, material cost estimates, and supplier availability data.
• Maintain ERP/MRP planning data, including demand and supply status, due dates, lead times, order policies, lot sizes, planning parameters, and material status notes.
• Escalate material risks early with facts, recovery options, owners, and timing to protect program execution and production cadence.
• Ensure program requests are received, evaluated, and executed through approved Supply Chain governance.
• Support occasional travel or off-site work and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, basic life with AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, and ancillary voluntary coverage options.
• Spending accounts, including HSA, FSA, and DCFSA.
• Paid time off.
• Holidays.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Leaves, including parental, maternity, and military leave.
• Annual discretionary bonus for eligible roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level