Planning Manager

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Manager, Planning is an experienced and strategic-thinking professional to lead our aerospace manufacturing planning team. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, and a proven track record in production planning, and MRP optimization. Position Responsibilities Delegating responsibilities and supervising business operations Hiring, training, motivating and coaching employees as they provide attentive, efficient service to customers, assessing employee performance and providing helpful feedback and training opportunities. Resolving conflicts or complaints from customers and employees. Analyzing information and processes and developing more effective or efficient processes and strategies. Generating reports and presenting information to upper-level managers or other parties. Ensuring staff members follow company policies and procedures. Other duties to ensure the overall health and success of the business. Lead and manage the production planning team, overseeing the development and execution of production schedules and plans. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including procurement, production, engineering, and quality assurance to ensure efficient production processes. Develop and implement production strategies to meet customer demands, optimize resource allocation, and achieve production goals. Monitor and analyze production data, identifying trends and areas for improvement to enhance overall operational efficiency. Plan and manage inventory levels to ensure adequate supply of materials while minimizing excess stock. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, implementing lean manufacturing principles and best practices to streamline processes. Coordinate with customer-facing teams to align production plans with customer orders and delivery timelines. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on production performance, resource utilization, and capacity planning. Ensure compliance with aerospace industry regulations, safety standards, and quality requirements. Mentor and develop planning team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth. Collaboration with Operations and Planners to agree upon a master plan and backlog recovery actions Other duties assigned Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred. Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience required and minimum of 3-5 years of experience in aerospace, defense, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years of experience in a leadership role. Ability to develop and manage direct reports is required from this role. Proven experience managing complex production and integration processes in a regulated environment. Strong understanding of military compliance requirements, contract management, and WAWF processes. Experience using ERP/MRP systems for production planning, order tracking and process management. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate activities across multiple departments. Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data and drive resolution of order fulfillment issues. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and reporting tools. Experience in SplashBI and advanced MRP systems such as Oracle strongly recommended. Experience with multi-level BOM’s and managing system-generated build times recommended. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies APICS Certification (CPIM) or PMP Certification is preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively Experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests Physical Demands Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift up to 10 lbs., bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer. May require travel to sites/program and special functions. Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance Work is in an office and manufacturing environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating. May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling. Special Requirements U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required. Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required. Training Travel Requirement This role requires weekly travel from Salt Lake City, UT to Simi Valley, CA for training for the first three months of employment. Training occurs Monday through Friday, three weeks per month. Travel, lodging, meals, and ground transportation will be provided. After the training period, the position is based in Salt Lake City, UT. Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $98,432 - $150,284 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Benefits AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit We also encourage you to review our company website to learn more about us. URL: Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. About AV AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR U.S. Citizenship required #J-18808-Ljbffr