Supply Chain Planning Specialist - Level 3 or 4

Accountabilities

• Material planning and availability: Ensure the right materials are available in the required quantities and delivered on time to support production schedules. Monitor inventory levels against demand, prioritize material requirements, and determine appropriate inventory allocation and replenishment strategies.

• MRP and ERP management: Use material requirements planning tools to analyze supply and demand, identify shortages, update procurement plans, and adjust orders as inventory levels and production requirements change.

• Procurement strategy and supplier coordination: Collaborate with Sourcing, Procurement, and suppliers to establish inventory targets, assess supplier capacity and lead times, prioritize critical purchases, and improve on-time delivery and material quality.

• Production and lifecycle planning: Support new product introductions, manufacturing ramp-ups, product phase-ins and phase-outs, end-of-life management, and product-line planning. Contribute to make-or-buy decisions and long-term capacity and resource planning.

• Bill of Materials (BOM) analysis: Evaluate BOM requirements to determine appropriate inventory levels, identify components needed for each product, track material availability, and adjust purchase orders to meet production needs.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with Program Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Procurement to resolve material constraints, address nonstandard part requirements, mitigate critical-path procurement risks, and protect build and test schedules.

• Performance monitoring and reporting: Track supply chain performance through operational metrics, including on-time purchasing, purchase requisition award status, and supporting versus non-supporting purchases. Communicate progress, risks, and potential schedule impacts to senior planners and supply chain leadership.

• Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to reduce working capital, achieve cost savings, improve affordability, streamline planning processes, and enhance supply chain performance through data-driven decisions and collaboration.

Requirements

• Education and experience — Level 3: Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of professional experience, a master's degree with at least 3 years, or a PhD with at least 1 year. An additional 4 or more years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Education and experience — Level 4: Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of professional experience, a master's degree with at least 6 years, or a PhD with at least 4 years. An additional 4 or more years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Security clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

• Supply chain expertise: Strong understanding of material planning, inventory management, procurement processes, supplier coordination, production requirements, and supply chain risk mitigation.

• MRP and ERP proficiency: Experience using material requirements planning tools and enterprise resource planning systems. Familiarity with platforms such as Costpoint, SAP, or Oracle is highly desirable.

• Data analytics and reporting: Ability to analyze complex supply chain data, develop performance reports, interpret operational metrics, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, dashboard creation, or advanced reporting is an advantage.

• Strategic and analytical thinking: Ability to assess material requirements, supplier lead times, capacity constraints, and critical-path purchases while balancing cost, inventory efficiency, and production priorities.

• Leadership and collaboration: Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects, influence cross-functional stakeholders, drive process improvements, and collaborate effectively with technical and business teams.

• Communication and organization: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear presentations, communicate supply risks, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Adaptability and initiative: A proactive, detail-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently, solve complex problems, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Annual salary range of $85,600–$141,200 for Level 3 and $106,800–$176,300 for Level 4, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors.

• Performance-based compensation: Potential eligibility for annual discretionary bonuses and other additional compensation, depending on the position and applicable policies.

• Health coverage: Access to health insurance benefits.

• Financial security: Savings and retirement plan options to support long-term financial well-being.

• Insurance protection: Life and disability insurance coverage.

• Paid time off: Company-paid holidays and paid time off for vacation and personal needs.

• Work flexibility: Remote work opportunities across the United States, with the preferred location near McLean, Virginia. No relocation assistance is available.

• No required travel: The position does not require regular business travel.

• Professional impact: The opportunity to contribute to complex aerospace and space programs while developing supply chain expertise and collaborating with experienced professionals.

• Inclusive workplace: A professional environment that values diverse perspectives, collaboration, innovation, and equal employment opportunities.