Material Planner / Production Control Coordinator

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
  
  

Experience And Skills

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
  
  

Required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s 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

0–10% as required for training, system implementation, or internal coordination

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES

EEO/M/F/D/V

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement
  
  

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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