Director, Enterprise Planning with an Aerospace Supplier – Phoenix, AZ

Role Overview for Director, Enterprise Planning with an Aerospace Supplier – Phoenix, AZ

JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, globally recognized aerospace supplier in their search for a visionary Director of Enterprise Planning. Based in the thriving aerospace hub of Phoenix, AZ, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic and innovative organization. The successful candidate will be the central architect of the company’s integrated planning processes, orchestrating the alignment of long-range strategic objectives with tactical, day-to-day operational execution. This is more than a planning role; it is the nerve center of the business, ensuring that every function—from finance and sales to supply chain and manufacturing—is synchronized and driving towards a common set of goals.

As the Director of Enterprise Planning, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and leading a world-class Integrated Business Planning (IBP/SIOP) process. You will serve as a key advisor to the executive leadership team, providing critical insights, data-driven forecasts, and strategic recommendations that directly influence the company’s profitability, market position, and long-term growth trajectory. You will champion a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging advanced analytics and planning technologies to enhance forecast accuracy, optimize inventory levels, and maximize operational efficiency. This position requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the complexities of the aerospace manufacturing environment, exceptional analytical capabilities, and the executive presence to influence and lead cross-functional teams towards unified success. If you are a transformative leader passionate about building robust planning frameworks that enable sustainable growth, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.

Key Responsibilities of Director, Enterprise Planning with an Aerospace Supplier – Phoenix, AZ

The Director of Enterprise Planning will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, focusing on the integration of all aspects of business planning. This includes strategic, financial, and operational planning cycles.

Strategic and Long-Range Planning

• Lead the development and annual refresh of the company’s Long-Range Strategic Plan (LRSP), collaborating with executive leadership to define market-driven goals, technology roadmaps, and capital investment strategies.
• Translate the LRSP into a tangible Annual Operating Plan (AOP), establishing clear financial targets, operational objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for all business units.
• Conduct comprehensive market analysis, competitive intelligence, and scenario planning exercises to identify potential risks and opportunities, providing strategic insights to guide executive decision-making.
• Ensure all planning activities are aligned with the latest aerospace industry standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements, particularly those related to government contracts.
• Partner with Corporate Development to model and assess the impact of potential mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships on the overall enterprise plan.

Integrated Business Planning (IBP/SIOP)

• Own and facilitate the monthly IBP/SIOP cycle, a critical cross-functional process that balances demand, supply, and financial plans to create a single, consensus-driven operating plan for the entire organization.
• Chair key IBP meetings, including the Demand Review, Supply Review, and Executive IBP session, ensuring rigorous preparation, active participation, and decisive action-planning from all stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement of the IBP process, enhancing its maturity, effectiveness, and integration with other core business processes.
• Develop and maintain sophisticated demand forecasting models, incorporating statistical analysis, sales input, market trends, and program-specific intelligence to improve accuracy and reduce forecast bias.
• Oversee master scheduling and capacity planning processes to ensure the production and supply chain networks are capable of meeting the consensus demand plan efficiently and effectively.

Financial & Operational Forecasting

• Collaborate closely with the CFO and Finance department to ensure a seamless link between the operational plan (IBP) and the financial forecast, including revenue projections, cost of goods sold, and inventory levels.
• Develop and manage the enterprise-level budget for planning functions, ensuring alignment with AOP targets and strategic priorities.
• Provide regular, insightful analysis of plan vs. actual performance, highlighting key drivers of variance and recommending corrective actions to keep the business on track.
• Lead the development of inventory strategies and targets, balancing the competing objectives of customer service levels, operational efficiency, and working capital optimization.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of planning professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning.
• Establish clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support the professional development of your team members, creating a strong talent pipeline for the organization.
• Act as a change agent within the organization, championing the principles of integrated planning and influencing stakeholders at all levels to adopt best practices.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with leaders across all functions, including Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Requirements for the Director, Enterprise Planning with an Aerospace Supplier – Phoenix, AZ

We are seeking a seasoned and accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in a complex, high-stakes manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of strategic acumen, analytical rigor, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in enterprise planning, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), supply chain management, or operations within a complex manufacturing industry.
• At least 7 years of direct leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams.
• Significant experience within the Aerospace & Defense industry is mandatory. A deep understanding of its unique market dynamics, supply chain complexities, and regulatory environment is essential.
• Proven expertise in designing and leading Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes in a multi-site environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor) and advanced planning systems (APS).
• Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights for an executive audience.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the executive presence and credibility to influence senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) or other advanced degree.
• Professional certifications such as APICS (CPIM, CSCP) or a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• Experience working with government contracts and familiarity with regulations such as FAR/DFARS.
• Formal training and practical experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with business intelligence and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and well-being. The package includes:

• Competitive Compensation: A highly competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and potential for long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: A robust suite of benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, as well as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives.
• Retirement Savings: A generous 401(k) plan with a significant company match to help you build a secure future.
• Generous Paid Time Off: A competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and numerous paid company holidays.
• Professional Development: A strong commitment to your growth, including tuition reimbursement for further education and a budget for professional conferences, certifications, and training.
• Relocation Assistance: A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates.
• Work-Life Balance: A culture that respects the importance of balance and offers a supportive work environment.

How to Apply

JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical search. We are a specialized executive search firm with deep expertise in placing top-tier talent within the Aerospace and Defense sectors. We are seeking candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but who also possess the leadership qualities to make a lasting impact.

If you are a strategic planning leader ready to take on a new challenge with a world-class organization, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications. Learn more about our expertise in the sector and apply through our Aerospace & Defense practice area.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.