Manager, Planning

Manager, Planning

The Manager, Planning is responsible for leading the production planning function to ensure alignment between customer demand, manufacturing capacity, material availability, and inventory objectives. This role establishes planning strategy, owns the Master Production Schedule (MPS), and ensures disciplined execution of planning processes that support on-time delivery, inventory optimization, and business performance.

The Manager, Planning provides leadership to the Planning team, and works cross-functionally with Operations, Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Quality. The role ensures planning decisions support both customer commitments and internal efficiency while enabling continuous improvement and organizational maturity.

Establishes and maintains positive working relationships within assigned teams and with all departments. Responsible for maintaining correct inventory levels to meet customer demand requirements with added measure to maintain inventory to support a Build to Stock (B2S) program managed by the Standard Product Program Manager (SPPM).

This position will spend 50% or more of the time on the floor smoothening out production plans, work center capacity/loads, optimizing inventory allocations, prioritizing incoming inspections, assembly inspections, stockroom picking and external parts supply to ensure sustainability to production plan adherence.

ESCO offers a 4/40 work schedule (M – Thu) along with normal option of 5/40 schedule (M – Fri). This role is fully on-site at the Aston, PA facility.

Location: Aston, PA

Salary: $145,000 to $160,000

Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in PA. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

We Take Care of Our People

Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan I Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Your Challenge

• Own and lead the development, maintenance, and governance of the Master Production Schedule (MPS).

• Establish short- and long-range production planning strategies (weekly, monthly, and 6–12-month horizons).

• Align capacity plans, staffing strategies, and inventory targets with business objectives and demand forecasts.

• Lead planning input into Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and execution review meetings.

• Ensure planning processes effectively support both Make-to-Order programs and Built-to-Stock (B2S) programs managed by the Standard Product Program Manager (SPPM).

• Engage in processing ECO’s, releasing Rework mo’s for various projects, represents planning participation in DMR/MDR process, represents planning participation in daily GEMBA/production walk, represent planning in various projects run by Project managers.

• Collaborate with the SPPM to ensure B2S demand, inventory targets, and monthly build plans are fully integrated into the MPS.

• Define and monitor planning KPIs including schedule adherence, on-time delivery, inventory turns, capacity utilization, and working capital performance.

• Oversee ERP/MRP planning parameters, policies, and system discipline to ensure data integrity and effective planning outputs.

• Lead cross-functional issue resolution related to capacity constraints, material shortages, schedule conflicts, and delivery risks.

• Sponsor and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning accuracy, material flow, scheduling effectiveness, and ERP utilization.

• Develop, coach, and evaluate planning team members; establish training plans and performance expectations.

• Communicate planning performance, risks, and opportunities to operations leadership and executive stakeholders.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field (preferred).

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification preferred.

• 7–10+ years of progressive expe