Material Planning Manager

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START:
No CLEARANCE TYPE:
Secret TRAVEL:
Yes, 10% of the Time

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a dynamic, results‑driven a Material Requirements Manager 2 to lead the planning function that synchronizes material supply with production schedules for defense‑grade products and systems. This role will be with our Advanced Weapons (BU) located in Northridge, CA.

The position is on‑site in the Northridge, CA location and there is no remote work.

The Material Requirements Planning Manager 2 ensures the right parts, components, and raw materials are available at the right time, in the required quantity, and to the strict quality and security standards demanded by defense contracts. The manager drives continuous improvement of MRP processes, maintains compliance with regulations (e.g., ITAR, DFARS), and works closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality teams.

• MRP Process Leadership: Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the MRP master plan for defense programs. Generate and release accurate material plans on a weekly/bi‑weekly basis. Align MRP outputs with production schedules, engineering change notices, and forecast updates.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels against target buffers and safety stock. Conduct regular excess/obsolete reviews and coordinate disposition actions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Serve as the liaison between engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and logistics to resolve material shortages or excesses. Participate in program review meetings, risk‑based reviews, and Earned Value Management sessions.
• Regulatory & Security Compliance: Ensure all material planning activities comply with ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and any customer‑specific security requirements. Maintain accurate traceability for controlled items and classified components.
• Systems & Tools: Oversee configuration and optimization of ERP/APS systems (e.g., SAP MM/PP, Oracle JD Edwards, IFS). Develop and maintain custom reports, dashboards, and KPIs such as schedule‑performance index, inventory turns, and backlog accuracy.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead Kaizen/Lean initiatives to reduce lead times, improve forecast accuracy, and increase on‑time delivery. Implement demand‑driven planning methods such as Kanban, CONWIP, or DRP where appropriate.
• Team Development
  :
  Mentor and develop a team of planners and analysts. Conduct training on MRP fundamentals, system usage, and compliance requirements.
• Risk Management: Identify material supply risks (single‑source parts, geopolitical constraints) and develop mitigation strategies (dual sourcing, buffer stock, alternative materials).
• Reporting
  :
  Provide senior leadership with weekly and monthly status reports covering material availability, backlog health, and variance analysis.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field with 5+ years of progressive experience in material planning or a Master’s degree with 2+ years of the same experience.
• 3+ years in a supervisory or managerial role with a team of 10 or more in cross‑functional teams and drive process‑improvement initiatives
• Proven experience within the defense or aerospace sector, handling classified or controlled items.
• Expertise in ERP/APS systems (SAP PP/MRP, Oracle JD Edwards, IFS, or similar). Advanced Excel/Power Query, SQL reporting, and data‑visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Familiarity with ITAR, DFARS, FAR, and related export‑control regulations.
• Strong quantitative skills for interpreting complex bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and demand forecasts.
• Active US Government Secret security clearance.

• Master’s degree or professional certifications such as APICS CPIM, CSCP, or PMP.
• Lean/Six‑Sigma expertise, preferably Black Belt certification.
• Hands‑on experience with demand‑driven planning concepts (DRP, DDMRP).
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing or advanced materials used in defense systems.
• Demonstrated success in improving inventory turns or on‑time delivery…