Planning Manager

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Full Time Clerical Gulfport, MS, US

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Maritime Defense Systems business, which delivers integrated solutions with decades of proven performance across submarine, surface, and autonomous naval platforms supporting high-priority national defense programs. Our bow-to-stern capabilities include acoustic and sonar protection systems, propulsion systems, advanced composite structures, missile subsystems, canisters and launchers, and autonomous underwater vehicle subsystems. From concept through production, we combine engineering, materials expertise, specialized manufacturing, and large-scale testing to deliver mission-ready systems that reduce technical risk and support long-term operational performance.

As the Planning Manager, you will lead the planning organization and build the framework that enables accurate scheduling, capacity planning, and production execution across complex advanced‑composite manufacturing programs. You will ensure plans are executable, resource‑loaded, and driven by real-time engineering, material, labor, cost, and production data. Working closely with operations, engineering, program management, supply chain, and other functions, you will develop integrated schedules, identify risks early, and drive solutions that keep commitments on track.

• The work schedule follows a 4×10 configuration:
  Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with every other Friday off.

• Leads the planning function, including program scheduling, production planning, materials planning, and capacity planning.
• Manages staffing, priorities, performance, and development of Planners and Program Schedulers.
• Establishes standardized planning processes, tools, templates, and data expectations that support operational decision‑making.
• Owns the integrated planning and scheduling process using Microsoft Project and Project Server, ensuring alignment across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, inspection, and delivery.
• Maintains integrated schedules with clear logic, baselines, resource loading, progress updates, critical-path visibility, and change control.
• Develops executable manufacturing plans for advanced composite processes, incorporating materials, tooling, specialized equipment, cure cycles, inspection, and customer requirements.
• Identifies bottlenecks and develops staffing, shift, overtime, equipment‑utilization, and recovery strategies to protect delivery commitments.
• Leads production, capacity, and resource planning across functions, including labor forecasting, equipment loading, and scenario development.
• Integrates ERP, product data management (PDM), bills of material (BOMs), routings, material status, and shop‑floor data with enterprise scheduling tools to maintain a single source of truth.
• Communicates schedule, capacity, material, equipment, and manpower risks with clear data and actionable recommendations, supporting both internal and customer reviews.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and resource‑loaded scheduling.
• Experienc…