Planner

Job Title: Production Planner

Job Description

The Production Planner develops, maintains, and executes the Master Production Schedule to align production capacity, material availability, and contractual delivery requirements. This role works closely with production, materials, contracts, program management, planning, and manufacturing teams to establish stable schedules, manage changes, and resolve delivery issues in a fast-growing, mission-driven technical manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage the Master Production Schedule (MPS) based on production capacity, material availability, and contractual requirements.
• Obtain alignment and agreement from production, materials, and program office teams before executing the MPS.
• Maintain and update all MPS files to ensure accurate and current scheduling information.
• Drive closeout of completed programs and jobs, including disposition of requisitions, purchase orders, and residual inventory.
• Monitor shipping performance against the MPS and contractual commitments and develop tracking reports to measure adherence.
• Track and report the number and nature of changes to each MPS to support continuous improvement and transparency.
• Interface with contracts, planning, master scheduling, and production teams to create and maintain the Internal Operating Plan (IOP).
• Ensure product flows smoothly from production through packaging to shipping, resolving bottlenecks and delays.
• Create reports that compare actual shipments against projections to support data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing to establish and evolve a stable, efficient manufacturing schedule.
• Identify opportunities to improve current systems, functions, and daily operations to more effectively meet organizational goals.
• Reschedule daily delivery requirements when issues arise, re-planning as needed to meet internal needs and contractual obligations.
• Consolidate demand for purchase requisitions to optimize procurement and material planning.
• Support, communicate, and uphold the mission, values, and culture of the organization.
• Engage effectively with VP-level leadership, providing clear, polished communication on schedule status, risks, and opportunities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree and a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in supply chain, production planning, logistics, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in production planning within a technical manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience in project material management and material planning.
• Solid understanding of business processes and functional inter-relationships across supply chain, manufacturing, and program management.
• Excellent understanding of MRP systems and their application to complex manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning tools.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, as well as proficiency in PowerPoint and Word.
• Experience using SharePoint for collaboration and document management.
• Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing or automotive industry, or similar technical manufacturing environments.
• Ability to perform cost analysis and use data to support planning and decision-making.
• Experience with schedule planning, material planning, and work order management.
• Ability to work effectively in a mission-driven, defense technology or advanced manufacturing environment.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance within a reasonable time after hire.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in defense aerospace or other highly regulated technical manufacturing industries.
• Ability to collaborate with international teams and work effectively across time zones and cultures.
• Strong communication skills, with the polish and presence to engage in meaningful conversations with VP-level leadership.
• Proven ability to thrive in a rapidly growing organization undergoing significant change.
• Demonstrated capability to help build, refine, and improve supply chain processes and organizations.
• Comfort working in a mission-driven environment focused on military and defense technology.
• Interest in career advancement and internal mobility, with potential to be considered for other opportunities within the organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a supply chain team of approximately 1214 employees and a broader site of around 190 employees.

Work Environment

This role is based 100% onsite in a manufacturing environment in Germantown, MD, with no hybrid or remote option at this time. The position operates on a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off, along with a structured holiday calendar and a company shutdown period around the holidays. The environment is technical and manufacturing-focused, supporting mission-driven military and defense technology and significant organizational growth, with approximately 80+ open positions and extensive collaboration with international teams. You will work closely with a supply chain organization of roughly 1214 team members within a larger site of about 190 employees. The work setting emphasizes close team collaboration, hands-on engagement with production operations, and the use of tools such as SAP, MRP systems, and Microsoft Office applications. Strong benefits are offered, and the culture values professionalism, polished communication with leadership, and the ability to contribute immediately to building and improving the supply chain organization.

This is a Permanent position based out of Germantown, MD.

The pay range for this position is $83000.00 - $108000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage. Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

This is a Permanent position based out of Germantown, MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Germantown,MD.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.