Materials Planner

Arete Associates•Tucson, AZ

21h•$65,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Areté, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth. Discover your future with us. The Materials Planner develops and maintains material plans using MRP systems to support production schedules and program requirements. This role operates in a DoD contractor environment and requires strict adherence to FAR/DFARS-compliant practices, export controls, and security requirements. The successful candidate is detail-oriented, reliable, and committed to quality, safety, and inventory accuracy. This position will be based at our Tucson, AZ office and is classified as a full-time, exempt, non-supervisory position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Materials Management, Engineering, or related field.
3+ years experience in materials planning or supply chain within an electro-optics and/or DoD environment.
Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems (Costpoint preferred).
Strong understanding of ITAR, FAR/DFARS compliance, and defense industry requirements.
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, schedule-driven environment.
Knowledge of Lean principals and continuous improvement practices.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; stand/walk for prolonged periods; work in a warehouse environment.
Strong attention to detail, data entry accuracy, effective communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with electro-optics components and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with procurement, engineering, and production teams to ensure timely delivery of materials.
Monitor inventory levels and manage shortages to minimize production delays.
Analyze material forecasts and adjust plans based on changes in demand or program priorities.
Determine make/buy planning and lot sizing
Support implementation of engineering changes
Identify bottlenecks and adjust plans
Track material usage and lead times
Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely delivery, and resolve delivery, quality, or pricing issues
Align supply chain actions to production demand.
Coordinate recovery plans when supply disruptions occur
Provide status to management and programs
Align procurement, production, and demand
Drives material readiness for the approved production schedule
Evaluates material readiness as part of cross functional review of incoming system orders
Identifies risks and drives recovery actions for material readiness
Works with Procurement to align material orders with production forecast
Identifies critical material shorts against approved production schedule
Assist with physical inventories; research variances.
Maintain accurate system transactions in ERP (receipts, moves, issues, adjustments).
Support audit readiness through documentation accuracy.
Follow company policies, and export control processes.
Operate pallet jacks and other equipment safely; maintain 5S standards.