Composite technician [h1.location_city]

Production Planner

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems. Without appreciable direction, this position is responsible for support for one or more major project(s) through the planning, preparing, issuing and controlling of production schedules and coordinates with material requirements to ensure a controlled flow of approved materials timed to meet production requirements. Oversees budget, performance monitoring, analysis reports and may provide directions to support staff. Advises management of the status of work in progress, material availability, and potential production problems to ensure that personnel, equipment, materials and services are provided as needed. Identifies planning needs; develops and implements systems to accommodate task accomplishment, project communication and reporting; and performs task problem (or potential problem) identification and resolution.

Duties And Responsibilities

Develop and manage detailed production schedules based on sales forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets

Coordinate material availability, machine capacity, and labor resources to ensure efficient workflow and minimize downtime

Monitor production progress daily and adjust schedules as needed to meet delivery timelines and resolve bottlenecks

Lead cross-functional planning meetings and communicate updates to senior leadership

Assists in identifying planning needs; develops systems to accommodate task accomplishment; develops proposal costs and establishes / recommends budgets for projects.

Monitors project milestones; provides project communication and reporting; and identifies and recommends resolutions to potential problems.

Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and quality assurance to align planning with design changes, material lead times, and compliance standards

Provides task leaders and project management with necessary information to be able to monitor task / project status and make informed decisions.

Provides assistance to project and resource managers in identifying effects of task / project changes. Provides proposal cost preparation support.

Coordinates such activities as site facility maintenance and modification, individual task detailed schedules, integration of tasks into master schedule, funding tracking, hardware expediting, subcontract performance monitoring, and coordination with outside fabricators and processors.

Responsible for performance measurement, task initiation system administration and subcontract cost and schedule performance tracking and analysis.

Interfaces with operating and support groups (Purchasing, Finance, QA) to collect data for preparation of schedules and reports as well as providing status reports to internal and external contacts.

Direct or coordinates the activities of other employees in the planning area. May participate in hiring, training and promoting employees.

Mentor junior planners and contribute to building robust planning systems and processes

Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.

Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

Additional Functions

Develop new systems to accommodate task accomplishment and reporting.

Other duties as assigned or required.

Job Qualifications

Typically requires a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in Planning, Engineering, Production Control or a related discipline and ten or more years progressive experience in planning, scheduling, budgeting and performance measurement. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.

Must have a thorough understanding of manufacturing planning principles, theories, techniques and concepts as well as ability to understand accounting and manufacturing systems in a research or production environment and to apply advanced planning tools and techniques.

Knowledge of government funds procedures and regulations; and ability to read, interpret and explain engineering drawings.

Must be customer focused and possess the ability to develop and communicate new concepts and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.

Strong understanding of composite manufacturing processes, including ply layup, curing, trimming, and assembly.

Proficient in ERP / MRP systems (preferably SAP).

Experience in aerospace quality standards and regulatory compliance.

Proficient in production scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow optimization.

Proven knowledge of Heijunka principles to level production flow, minimize inventory fluctuations, and reduce uneven workloads (mura) across the shop floor.

Hands-on experience with visual planning tools (Heijunka boards, load charts, kanban systems).

Ability to thrive in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.

Ability to organize, schedule, budget and coordinate work phases.

Ability to determine the appropriate approach at the project level and provide innovative solutions to a range of complex technical problems.

Organization skills to maintain the flow of work within the unit strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to interface with internal employees and external representatives and to accurately document, report and present.

Ability to maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information; and knowledge of computer operations and applications and word processing and spreadsheets.

The ability to work both independently and lead in a team environment is essential as is the ability to work extended hours as required.

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance.