Strategic Planning Manager – Aerospace & Defense (9/80)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-based bonuses

Equity awards

Overtime pay

Comprehensive health insurance

Employer matching 401(k)

Paid time off: vacation, holidays, and

Parental leave benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Leonardo DRS is seeking a Manager of Planning to lead a team responsible for production planning, material release, and inventory optimization for complex aerospace and defense programs. This role requires strategic leadership and hands-on execution to balance customer commitments with operational priorities.

The ideal candidate will drive process improvements, support EAC performance, and collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and finance to ensure program success while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent education/experience considered.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in high-technology, aerospace, defense, or complex manufacturing.
• Experience leading supply-chain and production-planning activities in aerospace/defense.
• Strong knowledge of supply-chain tools, processes, and best practices.
• Experience with product lifecycle including NPI, supplier selection, subcontracting, risk management, obsolescence planning.
• Proven leadership across functions, conflict resolution, talent development.
• Financial acumen including manpower planning, program reviews, scheduling, budgeting, material spend and EAC.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership skills

Supply-chain management knowledge

Financial & business acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving & communication

Education

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

Tools

DoD/ITAR/FAR knowledge

Job description

Leonardo DRS is seeking a Manager of Planning to lead a team responsible for production planning, material release, and inventory optimization for complex aerospace and defense programs. This role requires strategic leadership and hands-on execution to balance customer commitments with operational priorities.

The ideal candidate will drive process improvements, support EAC performance, and collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and finance to ensure program success while maintaining