Production Planner/Scheduler

Position Summary

As a key member of the Planning Team, the Production Planner/Scheduler is responsible for developing and executing short-, mid-, and long-term production and purchasing plans to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and compliant product supply. This role supports manufacturing operations by managing PM scheduling, material availability, production scheduling, and inventory control, while collaborating with cross-functional teams including Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Distribution. The ideal candidate will thrive in both established and startup environments, demonstrating flexibility, innovation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving

(Near-term) Responsibilities in a Startup Environment: In a startup environment, the Production Planner/Scheduler will adapt quickly to changes, lead in developing and optimizing new processes, and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, managing inventory and resources efficiently, and troubleshooting unexpected challenges. The Production Planner/Scheduler will also contribute to scaling production processes, participate in diverse tasks to support the dynamic needs of the startup, and ensure the sustainability and scalability of all procedures as the company grows.  Specific activities would include FAT, SAT, CQV, media fills and engineering runs that lead to stability batches.  The successful candidate will need to be flexible to perform activities outside of the standard requirements in order to assist other departments during scale up of staffing and processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain production schedules for equipment, instruments, reagents, and consumables.
• Schedule preventative maintenance and calibrations planning.
• Analyze MRP data to ensure production levels align with sales forecasts and inventory targets.
• Prepare and manage short- and long-term purchasing plans (6–24 months).
• Monitor and adjust safety stock levels and inventory models to optimize material flow.
• Support shipping of instruments to external calibration labs.

Procurement & Inventory Management

• Initiate and approve purchase orders; manage vendor relationships and supply risks.
• Maintain inventory levels within site objectives and lead disposition of distressed inventory.
• Collaborate with Global Procurement and Sourcing to ensure continuity of supply.
• Support material creation, extension and data changes within SAP.
• Ensure we have the Spare Parts and any resources for the execution of calibrations and preventive maintenance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Finance to ensure BOM accuracy, timely material release, and cost-effective operations.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and site transfer initiatives.
• Act as liaison between internal teams and external suppliers to align on production and quality standards.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Utilize Lean, Right First Time (RFT), and Operational Excellence methodologies to improve processes.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Maintain accurate master data in SAP and support continuous improvement initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain, production planning, or materials management.
• Experience in biotech or pharmaceutical manufacturing preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in SAP (APO-SNP, PP/DS, ECC), Ariba, and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• APICS certification (CPIM) preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with occasional work on the production floor.
• May require use of PPE (e.g., safety shoes, eye protection).
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, or holidays as needed.

Full time

Regular

Colleague

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