Materials Planner

Job Description

Job Description

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.

Key Responsibilities Planning:

• 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

Inventory Control:

• Assist with physical inventories; research variances.
• Maintain accurate system transactions in ERP (receipts, moves, issues, adjustments).
• Support audit readiness through documentation accuracy.

Compliance, Safety & Housekeeping:

• Follow company policies, and export control processes.
• Operate pallet jacks and other equipment safely; maintain 5S standards.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement
• Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

• Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experience and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• 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 Have (Preferred Skills):

• Familiarity with electro-optics components and manufacturing processes.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 to $80,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills .

Other Considerations

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.