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At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.We are a pioneering company. Every day, at Northrop Grumman sites around the world, we are questioning, problem solving, designing and building our way toward Defining Possible.
Defining Possible tells the story of a company leading the way. It's an ethos that is future-driving and optimistic. It is a shared purpose for our employees and a promise to our customers that we'll rise to any challenge.
Defining Possible is at the heart of everything we do – our senior leaders have incredible opportunities to empower and guide teams as they develop revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for leaders who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to inspire their teams to invent the future. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, but they’re also making history.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The sector Scheduling & Factory Planning Lead is responsible for creating and implementing the roadmap and strategy for all master scheduling, factory planning, and production control activity across the Defense Systems sector. This role will be tasked with developing sector wide governance, process, and standards for master scheduling and factory planning, and will work alongside the site planning teams to ensure adherence and adoption to the process and strategy. This leader will guide, mentor, and develop schedulers and planners across each division and integrate all scheduling and factory planning activity into the SIOP and S&OE processes and cadence. This role will ensure master schedules are built and maintained in the MRP system, production plans are created and adhered to, and all production control activity is being executed to and current in the system to drive On-time Delivery, Schedule Attainment, and Program Execution.
Sector Scheduling & Factory Planning Lead responsibilities:
Master Production Scheduling
- Develop a best-in-class master production schedule template and implement across the various sites within the sector, one that can be used with both the SIOP and S&OE processes
- Assist in building and maintaining master schedules at each site, along with ensuring they are loaded in the MRP system for all downstream planning and execution activity
- Guide production planning teams to follow the MPS for lower-level planning/scheduling and work order management/execution
- Work with the Manufacturing Engineering teams on ensuring all capacity planning inputs (Hours, routers, work centers) are current and can be used for short and long term planning activity and processes
- Develop sector wide standard and governance on creating and maintaining a site master production schedule that integrates all programs, labor, and equipment/tooling
- Collaborate with Program Planning to ensure the IMS is aligned to the MPS
Factory Planning, Production Control, and Capacity Planning
- Create a standard factory planning process and playbook that can be adopted and used across the sector, integrating all master scheduling, production planning, production control, and capacity planning activity and processes
- Provide sites guidance on requirements for effective capacity planning (material, labor, equipment) and ensure these capacity inputs are updated in the MRP system
- Work with the Demand Planning/SIOP Lead on integrating all factory planning outputs and execution results into the SIOP and S&OE meetings and processes
- Guide and lead each site to use the top level MPS to create and maintain lower-level production plans and work order release schedules that drive manufacturing floor efficiency and DLU
- Develop and implement a work order management process that production planning and control teams can use to effectively manage all shop floor operations and schedules
- Ensure sites are providing the necessary data to the Demand Planning/SIOP teams to overlay long-term capacity models and plans onto future customer demand
Continuous Improvement & Lean Initiatives
- Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and Theory of Constraints (TOC) methodologies to improve plan reliability, reduce manufacturing lead times, and improve shop/work order strategies and execution
- Lead regular performance reviews (schedule adherence, work order management, capacity planning) and drive corrective action plans
- Serve as the POC for the SAP/S4 implementation project for all factory planning, capacity planning, and production control activity and functions
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, coach, and mentor a high performing planning organization (master schedulers, production planners, and production control teams)
- Establish clear KPIs, career development paths, and succession plans for the team.
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Partner with manufacturing engineering and division manufacturing teams to ensure all capacity planning inputs are created, maintained, and integrated with SIOP and S&OE
- Work closely with division manufacturing leaders to ensure DLU goals are aligned to the production plans
The successful candidate will possess the following competencies and skills:
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, matrixed teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to convey complex planning concepts to non‑technical audiences.
- Strong quantitative skills; comfortable with statistical forecasting, simulation modeling, and scenario analysis.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or Supply Chain with 8 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience
- 8+ years progressive experience in manufacturing operations.
- At least 3 years in a senior planning, scheduling, or manufacturing leadership role
- ERP expertise (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Cost Point).
- Experience working with data analytics tools (SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau).
- Experience working with Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) systems (e.g., SAP APO, Kinaxis Rapid Response, Oracle Demantra).
- Proven application of Lean, Six Sigma, and TOC principles.
- Proven ability to build and maintain high performing teams.
- Proven ability to take ownership and be accountable with an “owners” mindset.
- Strong interpersonal skills, an exceptional self-starter attitude, and the ability to produce in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain or a related field.
- ASCM or APICS certified – CPIM or CSCP
- Experience in high mix, low volume or make-to-order environments.
- Background in leading MRP transformations
