Overview

Job Title: Lead Material Planner

Job Location: Torrance, CA

Salary: $95,000-$133,000/yr DOE

TheLead Material Planneris responsible for managing and executing material requirements planning (MRP) across assigned programs, ensuring material availability to support production schedules and on-time delivery commitments. This role serves as a subject matter expert on ERP/MRP execution, mentors junior planners, and partners cross-functionally with procurement, manufacturing, engineering, and program management to resolve material constraints and drive supply chain performance.

Responsibilities

MRP Execution & Material Planning

• Own daily MRP review, exception message disposition, and planned order management for assigned programs
• Maintain item master parameters including subcontract setup, order policies, lot sizes, and safety stock in Infor LN/ERP.
• Analyze and resolve MRP-driven supply/demand imbalances; escalate critical shortages to procurement and program teams
• Ensure BOM accuracy and coordinate engineering change incorporation into the material plan

Production Support & Scheduling

• Publish and maintain production-ready material status reports (CTB/Line of Balance) tied to assembly start dates
• Coordinate with manufacturing and operations to align material pull schedules with shop floor priorities
• Proactively identify long-lead and sole-source material risks; develop mitigation and recovery plans

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as planning point of contact for program managers, buyers, and manufacturing leadership on material status
• Participate in program reviews, IPTs, and SIOP meetings to represent material plan health
• Partner with procurement on supplier escalations, PO expediting, and sub-tier supply chain issues
• Coordinate with quality and receiving on NCR disposition and re-procurement actions

Program Finance & Estimating Support

• Support new business proposals by developing material cost estimates
• Collaborate with program management and contracts to provide material content inputs for ROM and definitive cost proposals
• Participate in Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews by providing current material actuals, open commitments, and forecast-to-complete data
• Prepare and maintain EAC material reports at the program, identifying variances against budget baseline and recommending corrective actions

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentorship to junior material planners
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives targeting MRP data integrity, planning cycle times, and inventory turns
• Develop and document planning standard work, SOPs, and training materials
• Assist Senior Manager in interviewing, onboarding, and developing planning team members

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and minimum 3 years of experience in supply chain, materials, or production planning; or 6+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Prior experience in amanufacturing or production support environmentis required.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (Infor LN, Oracle, or equivalent) and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to analyze demand data, forecasts, and material reports to drive planning decisions.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Effective problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to resolving material shortages.
• Knowledge of electronic components, high-reliability (hi-rel) parts, and associated supply chain processes preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for collaboration with internal teams, suppliers, and program stakeholders.