Master Planner & Analyst (Indianapolis)

Master Planner & Analyst

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Reports to: Director of Operations

Persistent Recruiting Solutions is representing an established aerospace manufacturing company seeking a Master Planner & Analyst in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area. This highly technical operations role combines production planning, advanced data analytics, and ERP expertise to improve manufacturing efficiency, production flow, and overall operational performance.

The company is looking for someone who understands manufacturing operations and can turn complex production data into actionable information that improves scheduling, capacity utilization, throughput, and business decisions.

Position Summary

The Master Planner & Analyst will develop, maintain, and optimize the integrated production plan while using advanced analytical tools to improve manufacturing performance.

This position goes beyond traditional production planning. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with SQL, ERP systems, manufacturing data analysis, and capacity planning. This individual will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Materials, Program Management, and Operations leadership to identify constraints, improve production flow, and provide accurate information for decision-making.

The role requires someone who understands how manufacturing processes work and can use data to identify bottlenecks, evaluate capacity, improve scheduling accuracy, and maximize throughput.

What You'll Do

• Develop, maintain, and execute integrated production plans aligned with customer requirements and manufacturing objectives
• Use SQL and ERP back-end tools to extract, analyze, and model manufacturing and production data
• Perform finite-capacity planning, line-of-balance analysis, and constraint identification to improve production flow
• Analyze resource utilization, production cycle times, labor requirements, and manufacturing performance
• Translate BOM structures, routings, and build sequences into accurate production schedules
• Develop dashboards, reports, Gantt charts, and capacity models to provide visibility into manufacturing operations
• Monitor work-in-process (WIP), production schedules, and planned versus actual performance
• Identify potential scheduling issues, material shortages, capacity constraints, and production bottlenecks
• Configure and maintain ERP planning parameters, including resources, shifts, calendars, and production constraints
• Support inventory planning, material requirements, work order releases, and SIOP processes
• Develop what-if scenarios and capacity models to support manufacturing and business decisions
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials, Supply Chain, and Program Management
• Provide leadership with meaningful data and recommendations to improve scheduling, efficiency, and profitability
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through advanced manufacturing analytics

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing analytics, production planning, or operations data analysis
• Strong SQL skills with the ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze manufacturing data
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems, including an understanding of back-end data and production planning functions
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production scheduling, and material flow
• Experience with finite-capacity planning, demand-versus-capacity analysis, and identifying manufacturing constraints
• Ability to analyze BOMs, routings, production sequences, and work-in-process
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, and analytical models using tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• Knowledge of statistical and analytical tools such as Python, R, or Minitab
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate complex manufacturing data and findings to both technical and nontechnical teams
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with multiple priorities

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience
• Experience with SIOP processes and production planning in a complex manufacturing environment
• Extensive knowledge of inventory control, manufacturing operations, and production scheduling
• Experience managing complex manufacturing schedules and aerospace programs
• Knowledge of Theory of Constraints and constraint-based production planning
• Experience with DCMA schedule metrics, schedule risk analysis, and data-driven performance measurements
• Strong experience with demand-versus-capacity planning and manufacturing resource optimization

Why This Role

• Opportunity to combine advanced data analytics with hands-on manufacturing operations and production planning
• Highly visible position working directly with Operations leadership and multiple manufacturing departments
• Significant opportunity to influence production efficiency, capacity utilization, scheduling accuracy, and throughput
• Work with complex manufacturing processes and sophisticated ERP and analytical systems
• Opportunity to develop reporting tools and analytical models that directly influence operational decisions
• Be part of an established aerospace manufacturing operation with approximately $180 million in annual sales
• Opportunity to help strengthen manufacturing planning processes and support continued operational improvement
• Great pay and chances for advancement
• Will relocate