Strategic Planning Manager - MRP & Inventory Lead

Chemring Group; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) in Downers Grove, IL, seeks a Manager, Planning to lead material planning, inventory control, and plant scheduling ensuring on-time delivery. You will optimize MRP demand planning, collaborate across functions, and ensure regulatory compliance.

This role requires strong analytical skills and leadership in a manufacturing setting. With a base salary in the stated range, you will influence planning accuracy, data integrity, and process improvements while guiding a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 7+ years in supply chain, planning, scheduling, or inventory management within manufacturing
• 3+ years in a supervisory role

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning function and act as focal point for all Planning Department activities
• Oversee workload distribution and balancing within the Planning Department
• Oversee the use and optimization of the D365 MRP system to determine hardware needs and supplier delivery schedules
• Provide capacity insights to support RCCP and MPS adjustments to the rest of the organization
• Coordinate cross-functional updates with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, Quality, and Program Management to ensure alignment with schedule requirements
• Validate shop floor activity through throughput checks, labor reporting review, and WIP visibility
• Partner with Engineering, Machine Shop, and Quality to ensure tooling, fixtures, routings, and parameters are production ready
• Participate in daily stand-ups, weekly D365 working sessions, and production readiness meetings
• Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities related to planning accuracy, system data, and process flow
• Maintain compliance with company policies, procedures, documentation standards, and operational expectations; support planning-related audits, reporting, and standardization
• Participate in continuous improvement, data cleanup, and system enhancement efforts
• Assess employee performance and provide coaching, feedback and training opportunities to the team
• Generate reports and present information to senior leadership and other stakeholders

Skills

ITAR restrictions

Explosives eligibility

APICS certification

Lean manufacturing

Excel proficiency

MRP (D365)

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

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

Tools

D365

Job description

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) in Downers Grove, IL, seeks a Manager, Planning to lead material planning, inventory control, and plant scheduling ensuring on-time delivery. You will optimize MRP demand planning, collaborate across functions, and ensure regulatory compliance.

This role requires strong analytical skills and leadership in a manufacturing setting. With a base salary in the stated range, you will influence planning accuracy, data integrity, and process improvements while guiding a