Planning Analyst

ABOUT US: NCS has been providing product-based IT solutions to Federal and military customers since our inception in 1996. These solutions center on a wide range of hardware from end user devices to rugged mobile computers for field operations, and networking, compute, and storage equipment for integration into military platforms. Over the years, NCS built up a substantial integration, manufacturing, quality, and logistics infrastructure. At the same time, we also developed and refined robust business practices to compete effectively in the markets that we focus on; e.g., Federal civilian agencies, all three branches of the military, and the System Integrator community serving them. In October 2023, NCS moved into a state-of-the-art 108,000 square foot facility in Innovation Park @ Prince William, Manassas, Virginia. This facility magnifies the strengths that we have gathered over the years to position us well for future growth and diversification which have been defined in our Go-To Market strategy. This strategy centers on IT product-based services formulated into a number of solutions targeted at different addressable markets and charts our development trajectory for the next five years. JOB SUMMARY: The Planning Analyst supports manufacturing operations by coordinating production planning activities, analyzing demand, and ensuring timely material availability. This role is responsible for creating and managing manufacturing orders, monitoring inventory levels, and collaborating cross-functionally to support Just-in-Time (JIT) production processes. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and capable of balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Production PlanningScheduling: Review SAP sales orders to determine manufacturing requirements and production needs Generate manufacturing orders for items with insufficient inventory to meet demand Analyze demand requirements and determine with First Article (FA) production is required Create FA production orders and coordinate release schedules with internal teams Estimate production lead times based on order due dates, material availability, and capacity constraints InventoryMaterial Coordination: Monitor material availability and identify shortages or constraints Partner with Manufacturing and Procurement to ensure timely availability of parts Initiate deviation authorization requests when substitutions are required due to shortages or BOM discrepancies Order ManagementProcess Optimization Update manufacturing order schedules daily based on material availability and operational changes Maintain accurate system data within SAP to support planning and execution Ensure balanced product release schedules to support continuous workflow across manufacturing areas Support continuous improvement initiatives related to planning accuracy and efficiency EDUCATIONEXPERIENCE: Experience in manufacturing, production planning, or supply chain operations High school diploma required KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail - Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)- Ability to interpret data and make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands Willingness to work overtime as needed with minimal notice