Material Planner in Laurel, Maryland at Antenna Research Associates Inc

Company Overview

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

The Material Planner is responsible for the day-to-day execution of material planning and procurement activities to support production and program requirements. This is a hands-on role requiring direct ownership of purchase orders, supplier coordination, and material availability.

This position ensures materials are consistently available, delivered on time, resolves supplier/delivery issues quickly with accurate system data to support production schedule with minimal disruption.

This position is considered clearance eligible; candidates must be able to meet eligibility requirements if needed.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Own end-to-end material planning and execution for assigned programs, including purchase order creation, tracking, and closure.
• Actively expedite orders and communicate with suppliers daily to ensure on-time delivery.
• Resolve supply issues in real time, including late deliveries, shortages, quality concerns, and invoice discrepancies.
• Review MRP output and take immediate action on material exceptions (shortages, reschedules, cancellations)
• Manage inventory levels through hands-on planning actions, including reallocations and adjustments to meet production needs
• Coordinate closely with production, procurement, logistics, and finance to ensure alignment and continuity of supply
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in ERP systems (Costpoint, Oracle, or similar)
• Support supplier performance management by tracking delivery, quality, and responsiveness
• Audit and address excess and obsolete inventory using aging reports and engineering change notices
• Coordinate warranty issues and communicate with suppliers on replacements or repairs

Position Qualifications

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.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
• Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through
• Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• Direct experience in material planning, procurement, or purchasing within a manufacturing environment. DoD preferred.
• Proven experience managing purchase orders, supplier schedules, and delivery commitments.
• Background in supplier performance management and issue resolution
• Familiarity with inventory control, demand planning, and supply risk mitigation
• Experience in a fast-paced, transactional environment with daily supplier interaction.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Costpoint, Oracle, or similar)
• Ability to interpret Bills of Material (BOMs) and engineering drawings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for day-to-day planning and tracking
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to take action and drive resolution
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on commitments

Education

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination and affirmative action. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.