Production Planning Manager

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos' Defense Systems manufacturing is seeking a talented Production Planning Manager to join our team The Production Planning Manager will lead our Production Control team in delivering exceptional results at one of our key final integration sites. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix manufacturing environment, has expertise in Deltek Costpoint, and excels at building and executing master production schedules that keep complex programs on track. The Production Planning Manager will oversee scheduling, resource planning, and performance tracking across multiple programs, ensuring efficient use of shared manufacturing resources while maintaining a strong focus on quality, cost, and delivery.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector / Manufacturing provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

Are you ready to make an impact? Apply and share your resume with us today!

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Production Control Planning Team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Oversee order demand management within Deltek Costpoint (Inventory Reservations, CMR, MRP-generated demand).
• Build and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS), integrating cross-site inputs and milestones.
• Partner with Operations, Program Management, and Supply Chain teams to align schedules with material availability, resource capacity, and program priorities.
• Conduct and lead Program Status Meetings with internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Perform capacity analysis in collaboration with Business Development to support proposals and new program onboarding.
• Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators (e.g., on-time delivery, schedule adherence, throughput, WIP aging).
• Manage performance evaluations, coaching, and training to support team growth and skill development.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, Leader Standard Work) and drive adoption of best practices in scheduling and production control.
• Utilize MS Excel, MS Project, and ERP data to support scheduling, reporting, and decision-making.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 5 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven leadership experience supervising teams or managing cross-functional projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Deltek Costpoint in a production control or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with multi-resource scheduling; CNC machining scheduling experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with AS9100 aerospace quality standards.
• Proficiency with MS Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables) and MS Project (or equivalent scheduling software).
• Demonstrated application of Lean Manufacturing principles and Root Cause Analysis tools (Fishbone, 5 Why, etc.).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings and present to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to develop a production schedule from the ground up, with or without established milestones.
• Must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance OR meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

• Prior experience leading a Production Control team in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
• Experience with ERP-to-scheduling software integrations.
• Background in capacity modeling and what-if scenario planning.