Inventory Optimization Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Planning Manager is responsible for leading all site planning activities to ensure production schedules, material availability, and capacity plans support customer commitments and operational objectives. This role manages production planning, master scheduling, inventory optimization, and cross-functional coordination with Operations, Procurement, Engineering, Program Management, and Quality.

The Planning Manager drives planning discipline, ERP data integrity, and KPI performance while developing a high-performing planning organization focused on schedule attainment, inventory health, and customer delivery. You will be a key stakeholder in helping to achieve Mercury's focus areas of predictable performance, a thriving growth engine, margin expansion, and cash release through delivery performance and inventory management.

Job Responsibilities:

Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the site's production planning and master scheduling processes.
• Develop and maintain executable production schedules that balance customer demand, capacity, labor, and material constraints.
• Drive schedule adherence and production stability while managing demand changes and prioritize work orders based on customer commitments and business priorities.
• Ensure accurate ERP planning parameters including lead times, lot sizing, safety stock, planning horizons, and bills of material.

Materials Planning

• Partner with Procurement to ensure timely material availability.
• Identify and mitigate material shortages before they impact production.
• Lead shortage management and recovery activities.
• Monitor inventory levels while balancing service levels and working capital.
• Drive excess and obsolete inventory reduction initiatives.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP / S&OE)

• Support monthly S&OP and weekly S&OE processes.
• Communicate supply risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support revenue forecasting through schedule visibility.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve planning processes through Lean principles and data-driven decision making.
• Standardize planning work instructions and best practices.
• Improve forecast accuracy, schedule stability, and inventory performance.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the site's planning team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate daily production planning meetings and material reviews.
• Lead cross-functional recovery plans for late orders and supply disruptions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing planning or supply chain experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience in complex manufacturing environments (high-mix, low-volume preferred).
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Oracle, SAP, Epicor, Costpoint, or similar).
• Experience with capacity planning, production scheduling, and inventory management.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS CPIM: Certification in Planning and Inventory Managementor ASCM CSCP: Certified Supply Chain Professional
• Strategic thinking: Experience supporting business in Sales and Operations Planning to help drive executable manufacturing plans and facilitate action plans around supply constraints and recommended mitigation strategies.
• Customer-focused mindset: Collaborates with key stakeholders, gains commitment to meet timelines and influences others without direct authority.
• Driver and Goal Oriented: With limited guidance, identifies tasks needed to support desired outcomes, and challenges potential delays to drive necessary actions for results.
• Organized: Demonstrated ability to stay organized with multiple responsibilities and deadlines. Good decision making and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented. Time management and workload prioritization capabilities are key.
• Flexible: Comfortable working in an adaptive environment with limited guidance from manager. Possesses a positive questioning attitude who is able and willing to dive into the why.

Mercury Systems is a technology company that makes the world a safer, more secure place. We push processing power to the tactical edge, making the latest commercial technologies profoundly more accessible for today's most challenging aerospace and defense missions. From silicon to system scale, Mercury enables customers to accelerate innovation and turn data into decision superiority. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Mercury employs more than 2,300 people in 24 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com

Our Culture

We are committed to making Mercury a great place to work, no matter where our employees are located. We offer a casual and enjoyable atmosphere that allows employees to learn and grow. We help and care for one another and work as one to achieve results for us and for our customers. We value communication and transparency, and strive to foster two-way dialogue at all levels of the organization. We are committed to lifelong learning, offering comprehensive skills training and tuition reimbursement. Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or you are an experienced professional, it's important to us that you feel recognized and rewarded for your contributions.

To find out more aboutWhy Mercury?, or visit the Mercury Community or find answers to general questions at Mercury FAQs

Mercury Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, creed, citizenship, disability, protected veteran or marital status.

As an equal opportunity employer, Mercury Systems is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact the number below for assistance.

(978) 256-1300

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