Senior Manufacturing Planning Specialist

DescriptionJob Title: Senior Manufacturing Planning Specialist Location: Scottsdale, AZ Employment Type: Contract Industry: Defense Compensation: $38.99/ hourAbout the Opportunity: We're seeking a Senior Manufacturing Planning Specialist to support production and material planning activities for complex, high-technology products. In this role, you'll serve as a key liaison between manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and program teams, driving material planning strategies, production scheduling, proposal support, and process improvements that ensure operational success.Why You'll Love Working Here:Work on advanced technologies supporting critical national defense and mission-focused programs.Partner with highly skilled engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and program management teams.Take ownership of strategic production planning and material management initiatives.Gain exposure to sophisticated manufacturing environments, complex supply chains, and cutting-edge technologies.Why This Opportunity is Exciting: This position is ideal for a supply chain or manufacturing planning professional who enjoys solving complex operational challenges. You'll play a vital role in ensuring production readiness, material availability, forecasting accuracy, and continuous process improvement while supporting highly advanced products and technologies.About Acara Solutions Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.Sound like a good fit? APPLY TODAYWhat You'll Do:Represent production and material planning on concurrent engineering and program teams.Develop, compile, maintain, and monitor production schedules to support manufacturing requirements.Create and manage complex bill of material (BOM) structures within material planning and ERP systems.Develop labor and material forecasts to support manufacturing operations, capacity planning, and proposal activities.Analyze demand signals, material requirements, inventory levels, and supply risks to ensure production continuity.Partner with supply chain teams and suppliers to resolve delivery challenges, shortages, and material issues.Identify process improvements and implement best practices to improve planning performance and operational efficiency.Monitor planning metrics and communicate material readiness, risks, and recovery plans to leadership.Job RequirementsWhat You'll Bring:2+ years of experience in manufacturing planning, material planning, supply chain, procurement, production control, or operations within a manufacturing environment.2+ years of experience managing and maintaining complex Bills of Material (BOMs), including single-level, multi-level, phantom, and costed BOM structures.2+ years of experience working with Engineering BOMs (EBOMs) and Manufacturing BOMs (MBOMs), including BOM roll-up methodologies and ERP integration.2+ years of experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems for material planning, demand management, inventory control, procurement, and production scheduling.2+ years of experience supporting proposal development, labor estimating, material estimating, forecasting, or basis of estimate (BOE) preparation.Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field; or Master's degree.What Sets You Apart:Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate demand signals, identify supply risks, and develop practical solutions.Experience developing Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for labor and material proposals.Understanding of labor estimating methodologies, resource planning structures, and labor categories.Experience interpreting RFPs, Statements of Work (SOWs), and Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) and translating requirements into planning and procurement strategies.Ability to perform cost-volume analysis, develop proposal narratives, and present material proposal packages to stakeholders.Advanced knowledge of material planning tools, procurement processes, and supply chain execution.Experience managing purchase orders, supplier expedites, shortage resolution, and supply recovery plans.Strong understanding of MRP/ERP logic, demand management, inventory planning, and material flow optimization.Experience developing and reporting KPIs, planning metrics, and supply chain performance dashboards.Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), product costing, or program controls.Ability to mentor junior planners and drive process improvements across planning and supply chain functions.Additional Information:Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check.Overtime: May be required based on program schedules and business needs.Lifting Requirements: Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role.Work Environment: Professional manufacturing, supply chain, and engineering environment supporting advanced technology programs.In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.After you apply, you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit.The call or chat may be recorded so that our recruiting team can review it - they make all final hiring decisions, while AI agent simply helps move you forward faster. The best part? They are available 24/7, so you can connect whenever it's convenient for you.By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Acara Solutions and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at Website Privacy Policy | AcaraAleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.Apply