Planning and Production Control Manager

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 www.kearfott.com

Position Description:

Kearfott, Motion Systems Division (MSD) is a vertically integrated manufacturer of complex electromagnetic components and systems, and we are searching for a highly skilled and results-driven Planning & Production Control Manager to lead and optimize our vertically integrated production scheduling, materials planning, and inventory control functions within our Aerospace/Commercial manufacturing operations. This role requires a strategic thinker that can leverage their in-depth expertise in demand planning, supply chain management, and production scheduling to provide strategic direction that drives efficiency, meets customer commitments and ensures operational excellence. The incumbent will leverage critical knowledge and experience to develop a strategic direction for the function to guarantee our customers needs are satisfied. This position is in our Black Mountain, NC facility, however it will be highly integrated with our facilities in Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, Mexico.

Essential Functions

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develop and implement production planning strategies aligned with business objectives to optimize resource utilization and ensure on-time delivery.
• Lead Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) processes to balance supply and demand effectively.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams-including Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Operations-to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.

Production Control & Scheduling:

• Oversee master production scheduling (MPS) and capacity planning to ensure alignment with customer demands and manufacturing capabilities.
• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules, ensuring materials availability, labor allocation, and machine utilization meet delivery requirements.
• Identify and mitigate potential bottlenecks, proactively adjusting plans to maintain throughput and minimize downtime.

Materials & Inventory Management:

• Implement lean inventory practices, ensuring the right materials are available at the right time from internal production to external suppliers while minimizing excess stock and obsolescence.
• Create a lean "Pull" system that minimizes inventory, downtime and increases efficiency and on time delivery.
• Work closely with procurement and suppliers to maintain accurate materials planning and reduce lead times.
• Leverage ERP/MRP systems to optimize inventory accuracy and materials production flow.

Continuous Improvement & Performance Optimization:

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve process efficiency.
• Establish KPIs and metrics (e.g., OTD, inventory turns, production efficiency) to track and improve planning and control performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and operational excellence within the planning and production control teams.

Stakeholder & Customer Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary interface between production, supply chain, and customer demand planning teams to ensure alignment and responsiveness to changes.
• Communicate production status, risks, and mitigation plans to senior leadership and customers as required.
• Support new product integration (NPI) by ensuring robust planning and material readiness.

Critical Competencies

• High level of interpersonal skills to work within a team environment.
• Solid understanding of supply chain management best practices.
• Drives for performance, tenacious, meets commitments, plans contingencies.
• Organized, detail oriented, capable of multitasking and setting priorities.
• Makes timely, effective decisions, uses financial and quantitative data.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement.
• Solid communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate across all functions and with all levels of the organization.

Education & Experience

• BA/BS required, Business Administration, Purchasing or Supply Chain preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in progressively responsible roles in materials management or planning/scheduling roles is required.
• Experience in motion components and systems businesses for military/aerospace and commercial aircraft preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (IFS, SAP etc); and a demonstrated understanding of MRP and its output required.
• APICs or Green Belt Certification preferred.
• Experience managing/leading others preferred.
• Experience with Small Business Administration plan development and reporting preferred.
• Experience with CPSR, DOD, FAR and/or DFAR requirements preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US, visa sponsorship not available.
• Must be able to work on U.S. government programs and/or obtain security clearance in the future.

This position is located 100% onsite at our Black Mountain NC facility.