Manufacturing Planner

job summary:

A Manufacturing Planner is needed for an American life science and clinical research company in the West Hills, CA area. This role responsible for optimizing production schedules, managing inventory levels, and driving continuous process improvements within a Life Sciences manufacturing environment to ensure on-time delivery and operational efficiency.

location: West Hills, California

job type: Contract

salary: $42 – 45 per hour

work hours: 8am to 4pm

education: Bachelors

responsibilities:

• Coordinate production workflow for multiple product lines to ensure maximum performance and minimum delay.
• Determine necessary manpower, equipment, and raw materials to meet production demand.
• Develop daily production schedules based on line rates, lead times, and cost-effectiveness.
• Schedule shifts according to production needs and monitor progress to ensure on-time delivery.
• Recalculate orders based on demand trends, lead time changes, and safety stock levels.
• Manage replenishment levels and safety stocking programs.

Data and Systems Management:

• Maintain MRP master data parameters (lead times, lot sizing, safety stock) to ensure accurate system signals.
• Implement material master changes, product structures, BOMs, and routers into the production process.
• Control all documentation including backlog reports, shop floor orders, and delivery performance.
• Use SAP systems to manage inventory and production requirements.
• Maintain the PR1 system to ensure MRP updates and resource utilization.

Process Improvement and Analysis:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (PPI lean manufacturing) to enhance process flow and material management.
• Analyze root causes of stockouts and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as on-time delivery and internal raw material shortage levels.
• Evaluate capacity requirements and production readiness.
• Establish standard work and best practices to support business growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Demand Planning, Customer Service, R&D, Quality, and Marketing to resolve supply issues.
• Communicate inventory risks to Marketing and present data during SIOP meetings.
• Work with Purchasing to identify and mitigate material shortages.
• Interface with manufacturing managers to prioritize product availability.
• Oversee material planning for new product launches, rebranding, and specification changes.

Qualifications:

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Data Science.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in planning and scheduling within the Life Sciences industry (Pharma, Bio, or Tech).
• Experience in diagnostics manufacturing is preferred.
• Proven experience in building or establishing SIOP (Sales Inventory Operation and Planning) processes.

Certifications (Preferred):

• APICS certification in Planning & Inventory Management.
• Six Sigma Certification.

Technical Skills and Requirements:

Non-Negotiable Criteria:

• In-depth working knowledge of SAP systems and MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• strong understanding of production planning, quality control principles, and math/statistics.
• Knowledge of industry health and safety laws and ISO/FDA/GMP regulations.
• Proficiency in problem-solving using Practical Process Improvement tools (RCCM).

Soft Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills for reporting to management.
• Ability to manage multiple complex, competing priorities with a sense of urgency.
• strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to drive change in a team environment.

qualifications:

• Experience level: Experienced

Bachelors