Planning Manager

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company developing software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems with devastating counter-electronics effects on modern drone threats. The Epirus Leonidas HPM family of products, empowered by innovations in AI and microelectronics, is human-safe and cost-effective. Distinguishing itself from lasers, Leonidas excels against drone swarms while also bending the cost curve back in DoD's favor - taking drone defeat costs from millions of dollars per drone to pennies on the dollar.

Job Summary: This is a high-profile, cross-functional position that plays an integral role in enabling production flow and key developmental goals. Working in close coordination with engineering and manufacturing departments, the supply chain planning manager executes effective creative and smart supply chain strategies to achieve production goals. The functions within the supply chain management include material requirements planning, delivery management, dock-to-stock coordination, and inventory management.  

Responsibilities: 

• Cost Optimization 
• Manage and develop inventory level targets, reviewing line of balances, aligning demand supply signals and allocations, maintaining product master data and developing expertise in in-house systems and reports 
• Implement sustainable cost controls and develop cost reduction improvement plans with procurement. 
• Ensure Epirus partners are clear to build on time and that lineside health is meeting specifications and is aligned to the MRP 

• Demand Management

• Have extreme ownership of work center health, working closely with production counterparts and engineering to stay on top of start and finish dates, cycle times 
• Solve problems to recover from late-breaking changes or shortages 
• Ensure that the production is supported by a credible and well-thought-out inventory demand-supply plan 
• Issue purchase orders for production-ready (post-NPI handoff) requirements and ensure delivery. Manage relevant purchase order master data to ensure timely delivery and provide production with dependable delivery signals. 
• Coordinate with engineering, production, and quality organizations to determine change cut in and reduce obsolescence of material and eliminate/reduce quality issues 

• Strategic Planning 
• Lead SIOP process development at Epirus, driving the company to a new level of cross-communication and alignment on execution 
• Partner with internal stakeholders on implementing advanced supply chain strategies like long-term purchases, design for manufacturing to reduce cost and improve quality 
• Be the “go to” resource for the engineering, supply chain, and production, and build reliability stakeholders to determine the best value sourcing, NPI sourcing plans, turn-key or buy complete strategies, logistics and lead time optimizations, etc. 
• Drive design for manufacturability reviews with support from supplier quality and engineering. Champion value-add and value engineering projects to improve part quality and reduce cost 
• Ensure accurate lead times, and inventory levels (including spares) to mitigate the risk of production piece part shortages 
• Execute risk management analysis which takes into consideration past performance data, demand vs supply, and lead time stack-ups from piece part to delivery 

• Visibility  
• Proactively update Epirus management and engineering teams on all critical supply issues 
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships 
• Analyze procurement data and report metrics, produce reports with findings 
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures and government regulations 

• Leadership 
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of supply planners 
• Take ownership of team effort to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support existing platforms and new product development 
• Mentor team members in some aspects of their jobs and provide strategic support whenever needed 

• Process Improvement 
• Leads the planning team in executing best practices and measuring performance through agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 
• Build cross-functional teams and champion continuous improvement initiatives to meet or exceed cost, quality, and delivery goals 
• Proactively provide status and updates to Epirus management and engineering teams on all critical supply issues 

 Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree and 4+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or bachelor's degree and 6+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 10+ years of experience working in one or more of the following: 
  • Engineering 
  • Purchasing 
  • Contract negotiation 
  • Material or production planning
  • Operations or supply chain management
  • Material cost control
  • Master production scheduling 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Remarkable problem-solving skills with a bias for speed and accuracy 
• Strong track record of leadership and team-building skills 
• Lean or continuous improvement experience to eliminate headcount needed for daily work 
• Self-motivated, quick learner, and ability to prioritize efforts to meet customer and company goals 
• Strong technical ability to read drawings and blueprints, understanding of manufacturing processes 
• Excellent customer service skills produce exceptional work at all times, highly self-motivated 
• Familiarity with ERP and MRP systems and purchasing/planning functions 
• SQL Experience 
• Power BI experience 
• Advanced skills in MS Excel and Project, able to create pivot tables or macros, and analyze data 
• Experience navigating multitier Bill of Materials and work orders 

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: 

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

People are the most important part of Epirus – and always come first. We don’t believe in the word impossible and are always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency. Our fast-growing team is agile, creative, and innovative. We support a culture of constant learning and sense of belonging among our team members and know that mentorship matters. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. To deliver on our mission, we are always looking for problem solvers, changemakers and innovators to join our fast-growing team.