Planning Manager

Job description

Planning Manager

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Aerosystems is one of the world leaders in aviation systems dedicated to aircraft and helicopter safety, as well as fluid and fuel management. The company is a key player in the field of flight safety (oxygen, evacuation, floatation) and participates in the decarbonization of aviation through enabling sustainable alternative fuels and new engine architectures. It has 5,200 employees in 7 countries.

Reference number

2026-175202

Job details

Domain

Performance and Support

Job field / Job profile

Supply chain - Supply chain manager

Job title

Planning Manager

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

Position Summary:

The Planning Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and leading the integrated planning function across the business, consolidating Master Production Scheduling (MPS), Material Planning, and Production Planning into a structured, disciplined planning organization.

This role will transform the current reactive planning environment into a data-driven, ERP-centered planning process, ensuring alignment between customer demand, production capacity, supplier availability, and inventory strategy.

The Planning Manager will also support the deployment of the SIOP process, ensuring that demand, supply, and financial plans are aligned across a 12–24 month planning horizon.

The role requires strong leadership in APICS planning methodologies, MRP systems, Lean planning practices, and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

·  Planning Organization Consolidation

• Design and implement the new planning structure separating planning from production execution.

• Lead the integration of Master Production Scheduling (MPS) and Material Planning into a centralized planning team.

• Establish clear ownership of:

o Demand signal translation

o Capacity planning

o Material planning

o Production scheduling interface.

Master Production Scheduling

• Lead the development and maintenance of the Master Production Schedule (MPS).

• Ensure the MPS balances:

o customer demand

o capacity constraints

o suppliers lead times

o inventory strategy.

• Establish time fence policies and schedule stability rules.

Material Planning & MRP Governance

• Ensure the ERP/MRP (SAP) system generates accurate supply signals.

• Maintain planning parameters including:

o lead times

o safety stocks

o order policies

o lot sizing.

• Monitor and resolve MRP exceptions and shortages.

Shortage Management & Supply Alignment

• Lead the planning side of the Supply Chain Control Tower.

• Validate production requirements and need dates for shortage recovery.

• Ensure that planners provide clear production demand signals to Purchasing.

• Align supply commitments with production start dates.

Shortage Management & Supply Alignment

• Lead the planning side of the Supply Chain Control Tower.

• Validate production requirements and need dates for shortage recovery.

• Ensure that planners provide clear production demand signals to Purchasing.

• Align supply commitments with production start dates.

Inventory Strategy & Optimization

• Develop inventory strategies aligned with demand volatility and lead times.

• Reduce excess inventory while protecting production continuity.

• Support initiatives such as:

o DDMRP buffer strategy

o ABC inventory segmentation

o slow-moving inventory reduction.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Strategic Impact

This role is critical to the Supply Chain transformation of the organization, enabling the transition from a reactive, shortage-driven environment to a predictive, integrated planning model aligned with SIOP and business financial goals.

Recommendation for Hiring Profile

Given the situation described, we should prioritize candidates with:

Strong APICS planning background

Experience stabilizing chaotic planning environments

Experience implementing MPS discipline

Leadership presence to challenge operations when needed.

Aerospace Background.

Candidate skills & requirements

. SIOP Process Support

• Partner with the SIOP Manager to support the Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process.

• Provide supply plans and capacity outlooks for the 12–24-month planning horizon.

• Participate in:

o Demand Review

o Supply Review

o Pre-SIOP meetings.

Planning Standard Work & Performance Management

• Implement standard work procedures for planners and MPS.

• Develop and maintain the planning team scorecard, including KPIs such as:

o schedule adherence

o forecast consumption

o inventory turns

o shortage reduction

o on-time delivery support.

·  Cross-Functional Coordination

Work closely with:

• Operations

• Programs

• Procurement

• Quality

• Engineering

• Finance

to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and execution priorities.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Build and mentor a high-performing planning team.

• Implement daily, weekly, and monthly planning cadences.

• Drive continuous improvement through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Establish a culture of data accuracy, discipline, and accountability.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in one or more of the following:

• Supply Chain Management

• Industrial Engineering

• Operations Management

• Business Administration

• Master's degree preferred.

Certifications (Preferred)

• APICS CPIM

• APICS CSCP

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

Experience

• 8–12 years of experience in planning or supply chain management.

• Experience in manufacturing planning environments (aerospace preferred).

• Experience leading MPS and MRP-driven planning teams.

• Experience implementing planning process improvements or SIOP programs.

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of:

• MRP / ERP (SAP) systems

• Master Production Scheduling

• Capacity Planning

• Inventory Optimization

• Demand-Supply Balancing

• Planning analytics tools

• Advanced Excel / Power BI.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking

• Analytical problem solving

• Process design and implementation

• Cross-functional leadership

• Strong communication and influencing skills

• Ability to lead organizational change.

• Bilingual – Fluent Spanish/English

Success Metrics (First 12 Months)

• The Planning Manager will be evaluated on:

• Reduction in material shortages

• Improvement in schedule adherence

• Inventory optimization

• Accuracy of production planning signals

• Contribution to improve on-time delivery

Job location

Job location

North America, Mexico, Baja California

City (-ies)

Ave. Sierra San Agustín #2498 Col. El Porvenir CP 21185 Mexicali

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Professional Certificate

Minimum experience level required

More than 3 years