Material Planner

Leidos; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense firm based in Springfield, VA is seeking a skilled Material Planner to support material acquisition plans and collaborate across internal teams. This role requires an active TS/SCI w/Poly clearance, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and a strong background in procurement processes. The successful candidate will manage inventory, track procurement requests, and resolve supplier issues to align with business needs. Interested individuals should possess strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI w/Poly clearance is required.
• 4-8 years of experience in supplier contract management, procurement, or supply chain operations; or a Master's degree with 2-6 years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier development, and risk mitigation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast needs and adjust procurement strategies.
• Manage inventory levels to meet production and operational demands.
• Initiate procurement requirements and track deliveries to ensure on-time receipt.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Cost optimization

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Coupa

CostPoint

Job description

Overview

We are excited to announce an opening for a Material Planner in our Springfield, VA location! This person will be responsible for supporting the material acquisition plans and must have the ability to work with the programs stakeholders in generating material requirements and providing the necessary support of acquisition plans from start to finish. The Material Planner works closely with internal teams, including production, logistics, procurement and finance, to align procurement planning activities with business needs and resolve issues related to quality, delivery, or payment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as production, logistics, and finance to forecast needs and adjust procurement strategies accordingly
• Coordinate forecasts, workload, expediting, and acquisition priority working with broader supply chain organization
• Manage inventory levels in coordination with internal teams to meet production and operational demands
• Initiate procurement requirements/requests and track the status of deliveries to ensure on-time receipt
• Collaborate with procurement to research, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, service, and reliability
• Interact with vendors to achieve favorable outcomes on procurements
• Maintain accurate procurement records including purchases, pricing, and vendor performance data
• Resolve supplier issues related to delivery delays, quality discrepancies, or invoice/payments
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and contractual obligations
• Coordinate warranty issues and communicate with manufacturers regarding replacements or repairs
• Monitor market trends, supplier innovations, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for process or cost improvement

Basic Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI w/Poly clearance is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field
• 4-8 years of experience in supplier contract management, procurement, or supply chain operations; or a Master's degree with 2-6 years of relevant experience
• Candidates with experience in procurement AND/OR a combination of certifications, training, education, or military experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier development, and risk mitigation strategies
• Experience in supplier relationship management, supply-base diversity, and cost optimization
• Strong communication and analytical skills to influence stakeholders and develop solutions to ambiguous or multifaceted problems
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work across multiple systems simultaneously
• Attention to detail
• Proficiency in procurement software or enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa, CostPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DFARS, FAR, and Government contract regulatory compliance, particularly in a defense or regulated industry
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or NCMA CPCM/CFCM
• Buying or subcontracting experience
• Expertise in project management methodologies and tools (e.g., PMP certification, Agile frameworks)
• Advanced data analysis capabilities to assess supplier performance, contract risk, and cost efficiency
• Robust change management skills and experience driving process improvements within supply chain or procurement functions
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries such as EC-DAS

Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.