Production Planning Manager (Aerospace)

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Operations Management, Engineering, and/or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience materials planning in an aerospace or precision metal manufacturing environment

• Minimum 1 years of experience leading a team of direct reports

• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Deep knowledge of SAP, Oracle, QAD, or similar ERP; advanced Excel (pivot tables, VBA).

• High‑volume, high‑mix, engineered‑to‑order environments; aerospace or heavy‑vehicle or comparable engineered products.

• Proven ability to build/transform planning functions, secure cross‑functional adoption, and deliver measurable improvements.

• Strong problem‑solving, data‑driven decision making, and risk assessment.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills across all levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS certification (CPIM/CSCP)
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, or related high volume manufacturing environment
• ERP or MRP transformation background
• Project‑management experience in production planning or supply chain operations.

Benefits/Salary:

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. The salary range for this position is $105,000 to $147,500.

Howmet Fastening Systems is seeking a Production Planning Manager for our Carson, CA location. The Production Planning & Scheduling Manager leads end‑to‑end planning for complex, high‑mix manufacturing programs. They create and maintain the master production schedule, drive the SIOP process, and ensure all prerequisites are cleared before releasing builds to the floor. The role requires strong ERP expertise, analytical skills, and proven leadership in transforming planning functions. The manager works cross‑functionally with Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to deliver on-demand, high‑quality products while continuously improving planning efficiency and schedule reliability.

• Lead integrated manufacturing planning for multiple customer programs and product platforms.
• Own the master production schedule, Sales‑Inventory‑Operations Planning (SIOP), and Clear‑to‑Build process.
• Translate high‑level plans into executable work‑center and station‑level schedules.

Key Responsibilities:

• SIOP & Master Scheduling :

Align backlog, demand forecasts, capacity, materials, and delivery commitments. Run scenario analyses, obtain leadership approval for major trade‑offs, and maintain a single integrated plan.

• Clear‑to‑Build & Production Control:

Ensure all prerequisites (config approvals, BOMs, tooling, labor, quality) are met before releasing schedules to the floor. Escalate exceptions and manage change control.

• ERP & Data Management:

Set planning data standards, validate BOMs, routings, and lead times.

• Analytics & Risk:

Identify bottlenecks, forecast risks, and provide early warning to management. Run weekly performance reviews (planned vs. actual, delivery risks).

• Continuous Improvement & Leadership:

Design standard work, meeting cadences, and escalation rules. Drive cross‑functional adoption and measurable improvements in readiness and schedule reliability.