Senior Planner

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components.

Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America's aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

Kearfott offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 401K, and Tuition Reimbursement. We offer a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class work force. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a 'full service' provider.

For more information, visit our website at

Position Description

Kearfott Motion Systems Division (MSD) is a vertically integrated manufacturing facility. The Senior Planner is a critical position responsible for developing and managing detailed production schedules from raw bar stock through complex assembly and test that meet our increasing customer demand. The Senior Planner will also be responsible for coordinating with various departments (production and procurement) to ensure timely and efficient production along with optimizing inventory levels. They also analyze production data, forecast demand, and implement process improvements to enhance overall efficiency. This role requires a strong leader with strategic planning expertise, proactive problem-solving, and workflow optimization.

Essential Functions

• Focusing on the implementation of an accurate SI&OP process that is used to efficiently run our operation and provide on time customer delivery.
• Developing and maintaining detailed production schedules, considering customer demand, material availability, and resource constraints.
• Analyzing historical data and trends to predict future demand, ensuring accurate production planning.
• Optimizing inventory levels to balance customer demand with production needs, minimizing storage costs and preventing shortages.
• Collaborating with procurement, logistics, and operations teams to ensure timely availability of materials and resources.
• Identifying and implementing planning process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
• Regularly communicating with stakeholders, providing status updates, and generating reports on production performance and inventory levels.
• Addressing production issues promptly and effectively to minimize delays and disruptions.
• Providing input on strategic planning and decision-making related to production and inventory.
• Establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) that effectively drive the organization to meet company and customer needs.
• Issue production kits and hardware based on the detailed production schedule, optimizing efficiency.
• Analyze, report, and advise Manufacturing supervisors and leadership on material availability/shortages and potential impacts on production schedules.
• Drive On-Time material purchases as defined by the detailed production schedule in collaboration with the procurement team.
• Coordinate multi-site planning initiatives to ensure production schedules through shop and/or Purchase orders.
• Develop and maintain scheduling methodologies, ensuring timely status updates on deliverables, actions, and issues.
• Evaluate and refine responses to MRP and manually generated material and shop order requisitions to improve resource allocation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives affecting planning, procurement, production, and test cycles.
• Provide expert guidance on complex planning challenges, collaborating cross-functionally with Procurement, Program Management, Operations, and Engineering.
• Exercise independent decision-making in troubleshooting scheduling bottlenecks, escalating critical issues, and implementing corrective actions.
• Train and mentor junior planners, sharing best practices and developing process efficiencies.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in production planning, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production planning principles, including master production scheduling, material requirements planning, and capacity planning.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, IFS, JDE), Microsoft Office Suite, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or CPSM certifications a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills are essential.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage high-priority projects with minimal supervision.
• Must be a US Citizen.

This position is located 100% onsite at our Black Mountain NC facility. Relocation assistance is not available.

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans

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