Production Planner at Kongsberg Protech Systems USA Corporation – Johnstown, Pennsylvania

KDA, Inc, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, has been operating in the United States for more than 20 years. We produce world-leading Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for the US Army, Marine Corps, and allies at our Johnstown, Pennsylvania factory. We have delivered more than 20,000 PROTECTOR RWS to 28 countries. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS) is a highly mobile and tailorable capability that protects the airspace of 13 countries and Washington, DC. In 2027, we will do final assembly, test, and sustainment of the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile systems at a new factory in southern Virginia.

Join us, and you’ll be part of a high performing team that develops advanced technology solutions to protect people and critical infrastructure in countries around the world. Explore your potential and discover what your future could be with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc.

KDA Inc. is seeking a skilled Production Planner to join our team in Johnstown, PA. In this key role, you will serve as the primary liaison between KDA Inc. and Kongsberg Norway, ensuring smooth, efficient coordination across operations. You will be responsible for scheduling workload in alignment with the Master Schedule, analyzing production flow, and providing critical feedback to Master Schedulers and Purchasing to resolve discrepancies and maintain optimal performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Responsible for delivery of product from customer order through delivery to the warehouse.
• Create/Manage production orders and/or maintenance sales orders in Baan and through RMS as needed.
• Ensure production orders and/or maintenance sales orders are completed on time.
• Review material shortages manually and/or with the aid of exception reports from the Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP) system.
• Work with the purchasing department and material planners to ensure timely delivery of required material.
• Confer with leadership team to determine status of assigned projects.
• Prepare or provide information for production reports.
• Work together with the stockroom on inventory counts.
• Work closely with the engineering department and/or Production Manager to assist in the setting up/changing of routers.
• Create Subcontracting Purchase Orders to have material sent out.
• Print out Production Order and/or maintenance sales order documents and labels.
• Update “As Built” packet.
• Coordinates timely placement of purchase orders for material.
• Review Engineering Change Orders (ECO’s) and assist in implementing them.
• Analyze plant capacity to prioritize and schedule production workflow of lower-level components under the guidance of the
• Master Schedulers.
• Enter serial numbers, verify status of production orders/maintenance sales orders, and ensure accuracy of part number revisions while utilizing IMPROVE/RMS and Baan.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in business or related fields; and/or 8years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success (APICS) certification preferred.

NUMBER OF YEARS AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in production planning or scheduling.

• Knowledge of MRP, Excel and other databases. Knowledge of configuration preferred.

• Must be accurate and detail oriented.

• Able to calculate figures and amounts. Experience using software, such as Microsoft Office Suite and Internet; capability to learn company-specific software packages and related applications.

• Demonstrated Lean Manufacturing experience; Green Belt level designation preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership abilities/qualities.

MINIMUM LEARNING TIME FOR THIS POSITION PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HAS NECESSARY EXPERIENCE:

6 Months+

U.S. PERSON REQUIREMENT: “To comply with U.S. national security requirements mandated under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. will consider only applicants who are U.S. Persons for this position.” OR “Applicant must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) governing export control.” “A U.S. Person is a United States Citizen or National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Lawful Temporary Resident, Refugee or Asylee.”

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international knowledge-based group that supplies high technology systems and solutions to its customers engaged in oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defense and aerospace industries. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. performs final assembly and testing of Remote Weapon Stations. The company also performs repair and overhaul (R&O) of Remote Weapon Stations that come back from field operations. In addition to competitive wages, we provide an excellent package of benefits, which presently includes company-paid health, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) with competitive match, a 9/80 work schedule, life insurance, sick time and paid time off (PTO).

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Sick time off

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Schedule:

Day shift

9/80 Schedule

Training:

6 months (+)