Planning Manager

Mercury Systems; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercury Systems seeks a Planning Manager to lead site planning activities—producing schedules, balancing demand with capacity, and ensuring ERP data integrity. You will drive KPI performance and optimize inventory while coordinating with Operations, Procurement, Engineering, and Program Management.

You will guide a high‑performing planning team, improve forecast accuracy, and support delivery performance and cash release through disciplined planning and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing planning or supply chain experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience in complex manufacturing environments (high‑mix, low‑volume preferred).
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Oracle, SAP, Epicor, Costpoint, or similar).
• Experience with capacity planning, production scheduling, and inventory management.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead site production planning and master scheduling processes.
• Develop executable production schedules balancing demand, capacity, labor, and material constraints.
• Drive schedule adherence and production stability while managing changes and prioritising orders.
• Ensure ERP planning parameters including lead times, lot sizing, safety stock, planning horizons, and BOMs.
• Partner with Procurement to ensure timely material availability and mitigate shortages.
• Lead shortage management and recovery activities; monitor inventory levels and working capital.
• Support monthly S&OP and weekly S&OE processes; communicate supply risks and mitigation.
• Improve planning processes through Lean principles and data‑driven decision making.
• Lead, coach, and develop the planning team; foster accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP/MRP proficiency

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Operations/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Epicor

Costpoint

Job description

Job Summary

The Planning Manager is responsible for leading all site planning activities to ensure production schedules, material availability, and capacity plans support customer commitments and operational objectives. This role manages production planning, master scheduling, inventory optimization, and cross‑functional coordination with Operations, Procurement, Engineering, Program Management, and Quality.

The Planning Manager drives planning discipline, ERP data integrity, and KPI performance while developing a high‑performing planning organization focused on schedule attainment, inventory health, and customer delivery. You will be a key stakeholder in helping to achieve Mercury's focus areas of predictable performance, a thriving growth engine, margin expansion, and cash release through delivery performance and inventory management.

Job Responsibilities

Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the site's production planning and master scheduling processes.
• Develop and maintain executable production schedules that balance customer demand, capacity, labor, and material constraints.
• Drive schedule adherence and production stability while managing demand changes and prioritise work orders based on customer commitments and business priorities.
• Ensure accurate ERP planning parameters including lead times, lot sizing, safety stock, planning horizons, and bills of material.

Materials Planning

• Partner with Procurement to ensure timely material availability.
• Identify and mitigate material shortages before they impact production.
• Lead shortage management and recovery activities.
• Monitor inventory levels while balancing service levels and working capital.
• Drive excess and obsolete inventory reduction initiatives.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP / S&OE)

• Support monthly S&OP and weekly S&OE processes.
• Communicate supply risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support revenue forecasting through schedule visibility.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve planning processes through Lean principles and data‑driven decision making.
• Standardize planning work instructions and best practices.
• Improve forecast accuracy, schedule stability, and inventory performance.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the site's planning team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate daily production planning meetings and material reviews.
• Lead cross‑functional recovery plans for late orders and supply disruptions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing planning or supply chain experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience in complex manufacturing environments (high‑mix, low‑volume preferred).
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Oracle, SAP, Epicor, Costpoint, or similar).
• Experience with capacity planning, production scheduling, and inventory management.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional leadership abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS CPIM: Certification in Planning and Inventory Management or ASCM CSCP: Certified Supply Chain Professional.
• Strategic thinking: Experience supporting business in Sales and Operations Planning to help drive executable manufacturing plans and facilitate action plans around supply constraints and recommended mitigation strategies.
• Customer‑focused mindset: Collaborates with key stakeholders, gains commitment to meet timelines and influences others without direct authority.
• Driver and Goal Oriented: With limited guidance, identifies tasks needed to support desired outcomes, and challenges potential delays to drive necessary actions for results.
• Organized: Demonstrated ability to stay organized with multiple responsibilities and deadlines. Good decision making and problem‑solving skills. Detail‑oriented. Time management and workload prioritization capabilities are key.
• Flexible: Comfortable working in an adaptive environment with limited guidance from manager. Possesses a positive questioning attitude who is able and willing to dive into the why.

Mercury Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, creed, citizenship, disability, protected veteran or marital status.

As an equal opportunity employer, Mercury Systems is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact the number below for assistance.

[phone]