Manager, Planning

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 107,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Leonardo DRS seeks a Manager, Planning in Germantown, MD to lead production planning, material release, and inventory optimization for complex aerospace and defense programs. You will guide shop order execution and coordinate with finance, contracts, and operations to meet schedules and cost targets.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong communication, and a track record of delivering reliable planning performance across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in high-technology, aerospace, defense, or complex manufacturing.
• Experience leading complex supply-chain and production-planning activities in aerospace/defense.
• Strong knowledge of supply-chain management processes and best practices.
• Experience with full product lifecycle including NPI, supplier selection, subcontracting, risk management, obsolescence planning.
• Proven leadership across functions and talent development.
• Knowledge of DoD, ITAR, EAR, FAR, and DFARS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of planners and coordinators for daily planning and material-release activities.
• Ensure timely release of purchased requisitions and manage production planning and shop order release.
• Optimize inventory to support on-time delivery while managing working capital.
• Set departmental goals and performance expectations aligned with business objectives.
• Support make/buy decisions and supplier considerations including replenishment processes.
• Collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, program management, supply chain, finance, contracts, logistics, and quality to resolve constraints.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or related field

Job description

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

Job description

Job Summary

Lead the planning function that keeps critical programs moving. As Manager, Planning, you will lead a team responsible for production planning, requisition release, inventory optimization, and shop order execution in support of complex aerospace and defense programs. This role is ideal for a strategic, hands-on leader who can balance customer commitments, operational priorities, and supply-chain risk while building a high-performing planning organization.

What you'll do:

• Lead and develop a team of planners and coordinators responsible for daily planning and material-release activities.
• Ensure the timely release of purchased requisitions and effective management of production planning and shop order release.
• Optimize inventory levels to support on-time customer delivery while managing working-capital and material availability requirements.
• Develop and communicate departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with business objectives.
• Support make/buy decisions, strategic supplier considerations, and replenishment processes, including supplier-managed and consigned inventory.
• Partner across manufacturing, engineering, program management, supply chain, finance, contracts, logistics, and quality to resolve constraints and maintain program execution.
• Help develop material spend plans and support Estimate at Complete (EAC) performance.
• Identify inventory, material, and capital requirements needed to sustain program and production needs.
• Lead process-improvement initiatives that drive cost reduction, stronger performance, and more efficient planning operations.
• Apply sound risk-management practices throughout the product lifecycle from new product introduction through obsolescence.
• Champion the company’s mission, values, culture, and commitment to customer success.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Seven or more years of relevant experiencein high-technology, aerospace, defense, or another complex manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex supply-chain and production-planning activities in an aerospace or defense setting.
• Strong knowledge of supply-chain management tools, processes, and best practices.
• Experience supporting the full product lifecycle, including new product introduction, strategic supplier selection, subcontracting, risk management, and obsolescence planning.
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to influence across functions, resolve conflict, build trust, and develop talent.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with manpower planning, program reviews, scheduling, budget control, material spend planning, and EAC performance.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, logistics, contracting, finance, and applicable regulatory requirements, including DoD, ITAR, EAR, FAR, and DFARS.
• Exceptional problem-solving, customer-interface, written communication, and verbal communication skills.

The salary range for this position is 107,089.00 - $144,570. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. 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 any 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.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.