Planner jobs at West Pharma

In this role, you will plan and prepare production schedules for the manufacture of device components for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. Analyze production specifications, plant capacity data, and determine manufacturing processes, tools, and other resource requirements. Plan and schedule workflow for production according to established manufacturing capability and lead times. Plan sequence of production, sterilization, and other manufacturing operations for guidance of production workers. Confer with department supervisors to determine status of assigned projects. Expedite operations that delay schedules and alters schedules to meet unforeseen conditions. Prepare lists of required materials, tools, and equipment. Prepare purchase orders to obtain materials required in processes.

• Ensure timely manufacturing and shipment of all assigned products, and monitoring activities of all process related functions.
• Monitor production performance vs. plant and division goals, providing timely feedback to appropriate personnel.
• Utilize SAP, shop floor systems, Excel, and other information systems in the scheduling and planning of manufactured products.
• Advise marketing and manufacturing groups of anticipated problems and develop alternatives to ensure effective disposition of delivery related problems.
• Become involved with process improvement projects as needed.
• Backup various supply chain and planning positions and responsibilities as needed.
• Coordinate purchasing of raw materials to support manufacturing efforts.
• Confer with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.
• Prepare purchase orders or bid requests.
• Monitor progress of open purchase orders
• Analyze material shortages/overages regularly and determines optimal inventory levels.
• Review bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Analyze materials that are high value, critical to the process, and have a short shelf life.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business or relevant field required

• Minimum 5 years prior experience required

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Detail oriented with exceptional time management and multi-tasking ability.
• Proven ability to develop reports and analyze data to initiate problem solving.
• Must be analytical and data driven in the decision-making process.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, speaking, coordinating and organizational skills.
• Must be able to perform well under pressure.
• Must be a team player with ability to handle multiple simultaneous tasks and follow-up on requests.
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
• Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times.
• Minimum 1 year of production planning experience using advanced MRP system within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with SAP

• Must be able to work assigned shift(s) with overtime as required to complete assignments if necessary. Sitting and/or standing for extended periods may occur as well as getting to and from offices and building sites. If specifically necessitated by customer requirements, must be able to see with or without corrective lenses and distinguish color differences for product and safety issues. Hearing ability should be sufficient to hear and react to audible alarms from distances up to 150 feet. The ability to be able to lift and carry various items up to 50 pounds for manufacturing positions or 30 pounds for administrative positions is required.

• Supply Planning: Plan and execute a MPP (Master Production Plan) for critical raw materials or sourced services, collaborating with global procurement, production category management, and plan supply teams. May make make-to-Stock items; coordinating with Global Supply Planning and Plant Supply Chain to set target production rates, monitoring adherence to the plan
• Cross-Functional Alignment - facilitate alignment through Supply Review, ensuring precise forecasting and inventory coordination.
• Forecast Excellence: continuously monitor and enhance forecasting accuracy, adjusting the MPP based on forecast changes and driving continuous forecasting improvements.
• Inventory Optimization: manage excess, expired, and at-risk inventory, collaborating with finance and operations to optimize inventory levels and achieve strategic inventory goals. May collaborate with Commercial organization as well.
• Supplier Collaboration: foster collaborative, strategic relationships with supplier-customer partners along the supply chain to ensure seamless execution of orders within and outside the firm fence.
• Stakeholder Engagement: act as a single point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and alignment across the supply chain.
• May collaborate with Customers, Customer Success and Plant Supply Chain in managing execution of customer orders inside and outside standard lead time for Make-to-Order items
• May resolve imbalances between detailed production schedule and customer demand; recommend network options to support
• May manage/communicate prioritization requests between Plant Supply Chain and Commercial Team; ensuring that requests are reviewed timely then tracking/communicating actions to complete final processing
• May identify short and mid-term network capacity constraints and working with Global Supply Planning and Plant Supply Chain to balance demand and supply, provide analysis
• May work with site leadership and corporate Supply Chain on product/item elimination opportunities
• May participate in teams on the execution of transfer activities; meeting with impacted Plant Supply Chain, Global Supply Planning Managers and other Departments as needed to manage production shifts between locations, master data updates, inventory builds, Sales Orders adjustments etc.
• May ensure standard reports are being used and evaluations follow standard processes
• May monitor planning relevant master data for accuracy, ensuring consistent evaluations
• May evaluate short and mid-term planning runs for inconsistencies, troubleshoot, and provide direction to Plant Supply Chain to resolve issues
• May analyze standard KPI trends on regional and plant level
• May manage monthly execution meetings focusing on yearly KPI targets and monthly trends to drive actions
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree in supply chain related concentrations required
• Master's Degree In related field preferred

• Minimum 2 years in supply chain required. 5 years preferred
• Sound knowledge of MS Office required
• Sound knowledge of ERP systems required, SAP (MM/SD module) preferred
• Experience developing master production schedules, and resource plan preferred
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of APO/SNP (SAP’s Advanced Planning and Optimization tool). preferred

• Ability to comply with the company's safety and quality policies

• Manufacturing\Lean Six Sigma Certification-IASSC Lean, Agile or Six Sigma preferred
• Program and Project Management\Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)-PMI preferred
• APICS CPIM certification preferred

• Strong analytical, excel, report development skills and business acumen.
• Ability to assess opportunities in the business and apply supply chain related solutions.
• Broad perspective ability to see beyond the boundaries of his/her responsibilities or function.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with written and oral skills, make quick decisions, interpret data, read and write, speak in front of groups, express and exchange ideas, understand direction and adhere to procedures at all levels of the organization. Work well with others in a variety of situations.
• Ability to respond quickly, present a concise recommendation and defend it.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound judgements.
• Read and interpret data, information and documents and a strong learning capacity.
• Organizational skills will enable planning, prioritization and achievement of goals especially of importance for the successful execution of related activities.
• Must be able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize
• Observe and interpret situations, analyze and solve problems.
• Able to routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Position operates in a professional office environment. May stand or sit for extended periods of time.