Material Planner / Production Control Coordinator

Kratos Unmanned Systems; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Unmanned Systems is seeking a Material Planner / Production Control Coordinator to own MRP execution and material planning across programs. You will serve as the primary Costpoint MRP/ERP owner, translating demand signals into work orders, purchases, and production priorities.

Responsibilities include aligning BOMs and configurations with schedules, managing shortages with cross‑functional teams, and ensuring inventory accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in material planning and production control.
• Experience with MRP/ERP system execution.
• Strong understanding of BOMs, work orders, and production schedules.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate across suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Own MRP/ERP planning and system execution to deliver actionable outputs.
• Convert demand into work orders and planned production schedules.
• Manage material shortages through cross-functional coordination.
• Ensure inventory accuracy and data integrity in ERP/MRP.
• Align EBOM/MBOM with production plans and ECN/ECO changes.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Engineering.
• Support IMS/MPS alignment and provide status updates.
• Track metrics and drive disciplined MRP processes.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in planning.

Skills

MRP/ERP systems

Production planning

Inventory management

BOMs

Work orders

Production schedules

Analytical skills

Cross-functional coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Costpoint

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Material Planner / Production Control Coordinator is responsible for owning MRP execution, production planning, and material control system integrity to ensure accurate, timely, and executable plans that support engineering, manufacturing, and program delivery.

This role serves as the primary system owner and operator of MRP/ERP (Costpoint) for material planning and production control, ensuring demand signals, BOMs, inventory, and schedules are aligned and translated into actionable work orders, purchase requirements, and production priorities.

This position is a dedicated, full‑time function required to ensure the MRP and production control system operates accurately and effectively. It directly addresses the need for focused ownership of planning and inventory control, separate from execution roles such as Buyers, Kitting, and Shipping/Receiving.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MRP Ownership & System Execution

• Serve as the primary user and owner of MRP/ERP (Costpoint) for planning and production control
• Run MRP and ensure outputs (planned orders, shortages, signals) are accurate and actionable
• Maintain planning parameters including:
  • Lead times
  • Lot sizes
  • Safety stock
  • Order policies
• Validate system data to ensure reliable MRP outputs

Production Planning & Work Order Management

• Convert demand (program schedules, MPS, engineering builds) into:
  • Work orders
  • Planned production schedules
• Ensure work orders are:
  • Released correctly
  • Aligned with material availability
  • Sequenced based on priorities
• Maintain alignment between:
  • Production schedule
  • Material availability
  • Shop floor execution

Material Planning & Shortage Management

• Identify and manage material shortages and constraints
• Drive resolution of shortages through coordination with:
• Buyers
• Supply Chain
• Engineering
• Ensure materials are planned and available in alignment with production schedules
• Act as the central point of visibility for material readiness

Inventory Control & Data Integrity

• Ensure inventory accuracy within ERP/MRP systems
• Monitor and validate:
  • On‑hand inventory
  • Allocations
  • Work‑in‑process (WIP)
• Partner with MP&L Inventory Control and Kitting to ensure:
  • Physical inventory matches system data
  • Transactions are executed correctly
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies

BOM & Configuration Alignment

• Ensure MRP planning is aligned with:
  • Engineering BOMs (EBOM/MBOM)
  • Configuration‑controlled data
• Support implementation of engineering changes (ECN/ECO) within planning systems
• Ensure correct revision and configuration is reflected in work orders and material plans

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Partner closely with:
  • Supply Chain (Buyers, Kitting, Logistics)
  • Manufacturing (Assembly & Test)
  • Engineering (Product, Design, Configuration)
  • PMO (Program schedules and priorities)
• Communicate:
  • Material status
  • Production readiness
  • Risks and constraints

Schedule Alignment & Program Support

• Align MRP outputs with:
  • Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
  • Master Production Schedule (MPS)
• Support Program Management with:
  • Material readiness status
  • Schedule risks
  • Recovery plans

Metrics, Reporting & Visibility

• Track and report:
  • Material availability
  • Shortages
  • Schedule adherence
  • Inventory accuracy
• Provide clear, data‑driven inputs for:
  • Daily Tier meetings
  • Weekly reviews
  • Monthly Operating Reviews (MORs)

Continuous Improvement & System Discipline

• Establish and maintain disciplined MRP and production control processes
• Identify opportunities to improve:
  • Data accuracy
  • Planning efficiency
  • System utilization
• Support development of standard work for:
  • MRP execution
  • Production control processes

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct people management
• Functional ownership of MRP and production control processes

Keyword: Material Planner, Production Control Planner, MRP Planner, Production Planner & Inventory Control Analyst, Supply Chain Production Planner

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Strong understanding of:
  • MRP/ERP systems (Costpoint preferred)
  • Production planning and control
  • Inventory management principles
• Ability to interpret:
  • BOMs
  • Work orders
  • Production schedules
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Ability to manage complex, cross‑functional coordination
• Strong communication skills

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with:
  • AS9100D requirements
  • Configuration management principles
• Experience in high‑mix, low‑volume production environments

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bacheloris degree in:
  • Supply Chain
  • Operations
  • Engineering
  • or related discipline
• 3–5 years of experience in:
  • Material planning
  • Production control
  • MRP/ERP system execution

Preferred

• Experience implementing or scaling MRP systems
• Experience in growth‑stage manufacturing environments

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and manufacturing environments
• Frequent interaction with production floor and inventory areas
• May require extended hours during production surges or system transitions

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

10% as required for training, system implementation, or internal coordination

EEO/M/F/D/V

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