Senior Materials Production Planner (DRT)
About The Position
Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) is seeking a detail-driven Senior Materials Production Planner to support their DRT (Digital Receiver Technology) operations at their Germantown, MD campus. This role will lead end-to-end production planning across internal operations and contract manufacturers (CMs). The position owns the MRP planning cycle, materials forecasting, and supply plan alignment to customer demand, ensuring on-time delivery, optimal inventory levels, and smooth execution of new product introductions. The planner will act as the central point of coordination between Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and CM partners.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
- 10 years' of experience with a minimum of 5 years' experience in production environment required.
- Proven experience interfacing with contract manufacturers and external suppliers.
- Advanced proficiency with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., CostPoint, SAP) and planning parameters.
- Strong materials forecasting skills: demand planning, safety stock modeling, and scenario analysis.
- High proficiency in Excel.
- Solid understanding of BOM structures, routings, lead times, capacity planning, and shop floor control.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills; comfortable leading cross-functional forums.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight timelines.
- Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values.
Responsibilities
- Translate the master production schedule into executable work orders and run/interpret MRP to manage materials requirements.
- Develop 3/6/12-month materials forecasts that incorporate demand, lead times, and capacity constraints.
- Balance supply and demand to meet service levels while minimizing excess, obsolescence, and inventory risk.
- Serve as the primary planning contact for CMs—communicating build plans, kit dates, material readiness, and changes.
- Monitor CM capacity and schedule adherence; escalate risks and drive recovery plans when needed.
- Maintain accurate planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, lot sizes, BOMs, routings, item masters) and validate MRP exceptions.
- Support S&OP, NPI readiness, and engineering changes with supply plans, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
- Build and track planning KPIs, lead continuous improvement efforts, and standardize processes while training junior planners.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
- Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
- Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
- Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
- 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
