Senior Planner

The Senior Planner is responsible for creating & maintaining an optimized executable production schedule for the frozen and firm horizon at the most detailed process step level. Work with master data to ensure accurate capacity planning and lead times for assigned assets. In addition is responsible for the planning of shipments to the IPR customers in a way that the service level expectations are met and balanced with optimized shipping lanes and container utilization targets. Monitors closely actual production status for the resources in scope, monitors plan adherence (production, QC, QA & Logistics). Identify and address potential short-term supply constraints and delays. (equipment capacity, labor, materials, etc.) Collaborate with Global Planning, Customers and site functions to ensure customer service levels and an efficient production plan is maintained as per established targets. Will be the first point of contact for Global Supply Chain (GSC) & PET organization related to the operational plans. The role provides analytical support to the site and is accountable for managing several inventory and SOX processes to ensure appropriate financial reporting and controls. Support the IPR Supply Chain Lead role to ensure all IPR Pharmaceuticals activities associated with the Supply Planning and Distribution Planning area responsibilities are performed as expected. Additionally, will support in warehouse and logistic functions for special assignments assigned accordingly. This role requires close collaboration with Global Planning, Customer and local site process execution teams (PET) to ensure site capabilities are accurately understood, aligned with customer requirements, supply plans are well developed and able to be executed, shipments are aligned with customer requirements and future targets are meaningful and achievable. Promotes a teamwork environment and proactive participation within the group, evaluates and recommends measures to improve ways of working and Planning area technical capabilities. Typical Accountabilities Optimized Production Schedule Coordinates with Network Supply Planner (NSP) on rolling weekly planned orders into the firm horizon. Develops detailed production schedule for the Frozen and Firm planning horizon (reflected in planning system) considering constrained production plan boundaries and an optimized production sequence (cost) Collaborates with Materials Planning to confirm material availability and readiness within the operational horizon. Resolves any material shortage problems in a timely manner. Optimizes the tablets bulk shipments, usage of API and other materials to avoid scrapping. Resolves short-term capacity, workforce and scheduling issues. Ensures scheduling or urgent late call requirements (approved by NSP) to increase agility and flexibility taking into account business rules. Converts the detailed Schedule into process orders and communicate to PET while co ordinating internal stakeholders (QA, QC, Site Regulatory, Site Finance, Master Data, Warehouse) to ensure a realistic production plan. Communicates and coordinates specific order/customer requirements to PET and site functions (eg specific shelf life requirements, tender specifics). Communicates in advance workforce requirements for effective employee/shift rostering, weekly handshake with PET on agreed production schedule. Works with the PET Scheduler in the creation and maintenance of the detailed short term production schedule balancing Asset capacity and constraints with established Supply Plan while meeting customer requirements. Complete process order (PO) management assuring that open PO’s are accurate and reflects the intended Supply Plan. Perform required PO updates as required. Distribution and Customer Service Develops optimized shipping plans aligning customer required delivery dates, approved transportation lanes, shipping container utilization and Distribution Warehouse resources. Handling Market Enquiries/Request related to orders specific questions/supply execution - (e.g. batch, shelf life, logistics status, etc.) Validates and optimizes plans based on Warehouse capacity utilization. Completes supply planning activities for finished products. Monitors AZ customer’s inventory levels and communicates shipping signals as per agreed inventory replenishment levels (IRL) and rhythm times. Align shipping signals with supply plans, Distribution Capacity, shipping constraints and escalate any misalignments with SR Planner, NSP and / or Receiving site to assure that customer requirements are met. Examines purchases orders received from customers and authorizes then for processing according to Service Level Agreements. Executes sales orders management and deployment activities under the agreed supply methodology (e.g. Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI). Coordinates with Distribution the outbound shipments including all required documentation ensuring compliance of self and others to internal and external regulations. Liaises with other departments, as well as with appropriate international site contacts, to assure that the shipping plans are in place to meet the customer’s needs. Works with PET and other IPR functional areas to assure the support to the distribution planning activities and proactively communicates issues that could lead to supply chain interruption. Maintain Integrated Supply Chain Logistic informed of key supply issues or deviations that may affect the shipping plans. Acts as main contact with all customers on issues related to distribution planning, exercising high-level standard of customer service. Creates and maintains directory folder and file structure to support distribution planning activities. Writes procedures and coordinates trainings related to Supply Chain activities. Works towards supporting Supply Chain lean initiatives at IPR. Owns and updated centralized shipping schedule and shares with Export and Distribution areas and customers. Prepares and communicates monthly Key Performance Indicators. Coordinate the supply points Supply and Demand meeting, and is technically prepared to understand and interpret all the information presented in the meetings. Establishes and maintains ground rules pre-agreed with customers (i.e. rhythm time, shipping increments, max stock levels, ways of working. etc.) aligned with Service Level Agreements. Prepares, updates and shares Distribution calendar for domestic and international supply. Review special shipments trade control and other requirements. S&OE Short Term Issue Detection and Actuals Monitoring Analyzes on a weekly basis executional supply alerts (including customer/market nodes) and raise to NSP through S&OE process based on thresholds. Rebalances the plan in the frozen horizon bringing up to the NSP only where there is a service constraint, a significant trade off decision is required or where the change could impact the tactical plan. Validates short term planning outlook is meeting service and inventory targets (0-3 months) Validates ongoing production performance is in line with agreed planning design and master data standards in APO (rates/routings) are accurate and current. Monitors high priority orders carefully. Follows up on releases/deviations and trigger shipments with warehouse/logistics where needed. Escalates delays to NSP, whilst securing reflection in planning systems Monitors production actuals vs schedule, raises deviations potentially impacting to customer service. Analyzes gaps vs schedule, performs root-cause analysis and create action plan to increase adherence. Advises QA/PET on timing/impact of deviations. Generates production reports to operation for critical decision making purposes. Planning Design Responsible for having a complete set of the latest available capacity and resource/planning master data (available hours/calendar, maintenance, run rates, change overs/set up matrix, shift factors, OEE, BOMs, PVs, GR, GI, WIP, Lead Times) updated in the systems according to business rules. Drives formal sign off with PET leaders, and senior site managers to the agreed design; the expectation is this should be built into site cost and performance targets. Communicates any data changes which impact the tactical horizon. Manages planned events process for assigned assets. Ensure all significant planned events (that effect capacity /inventory projections) are built into APO including shutdowns, stock builds, asset transfers, etc. Perform multiple trade-off planning scenarios to suggest the best solutions to the business. Ensures, where applicable, the correct balancing of multiple flavours of API in the corresponding planning systems operational horizon. Collaborates with NSP and PET for new Product Introduction or transfers modelling for iPR Assets. Responsible for delivery of Site Business Improvement Plans and 3Vs initiatives. Monthly renewal (Pre S&OP) Collaborates with NSP in the formal sign off with the PET and other site teams on latest view of the plan including assumptions and agreed mitigations to achieve a balanced plan. Monthly PS&OP The Senior Planner plays a key role in the monthly PS&OP and is accountable for representing iPR site / assets in the monthly Product S&OP meetings Providing timely and complete inputs using the standard templates. Providing context and narrative to support the standard template inputs. Flagging assumptions and risks and explaining the impact these have on the e2e supply chain. Formally raising issues where the supply plan cannot be balanced with local solutions and working collaboratively with the NSP and other sites to agree a way forward. Inventory Management and Forecasting Responsible to support the maintenance of an optimal tactical long term plan for inventory (collaborating with the Network Supply Planner, Global Brand Planner and GFS) in the context of the budget by agreeing local site targets (covering lead time and supply variability) including planned performance improvements taking account of cost of goods targets. Inventory Actuals – Accountable Portfolio Accountable for variance analysis of inventory Actuals vs Phased Budget / RBU / ABU, reported through Days Cover, Stock Tolerance and Statutory reporting, providing commentary and Root Cause Analysis for the applicable categories. Phased Budget / BU / RBU / Business Plan submission Collaborates with NSP and GBP in the development of Inventory forecast volumes / Days Cover / Lead times for all site Inventory, and VMI Managed Finished Pack in Market, driven through SMT & Bulk sizing. Collaborates with NSP and GBP in providing production volumes and site Capacity planning data in line with Global standards / timelines / formats. Short dated, slow moving or unusable inventory: Analyzes inventory to understand which items are likely to become short-dated. Collaborates with Production PETs to understand which inventory items are likely to become unusable. Establishes/handles reserves for all short-dated and/or unusable direct materials, work- in-process and/or finished goods. Collaborates with Finance to ensure all reserves are recorded appropriately. Supervises site activities to ensure destruction of short-dated and/or unusable products in a timely manner. Supply chain analytics as required in support of overall SP PET accountabilities. Uses supply chain expertise to recommend improvement initiatives Leads implementation of approved initiatives or projects. Works with Finance in setting site annual FMCs though volume provision and SAP data management Collaborates with NSP in the development of long term planning forecasts to create potential scenarios to analyze iPR site capabilities and recommend changes to resources to adapt to prospective change. Master Data and Change Control Management Keep the data aligned to the Global standard format to maintain integrity and accuracy for relevant master data for the assigned assets and associated products while: Serves as main contact with international and local teams to handle item related changes. Creates and maintains master recipes according to the information provided by all the affected areas in the agreed tactical plan, to ensure that the system reflects current capabilities and capacity. Performs master data’s monthly audits. Maintains and keeps updated AZURE, SAP, APO, SNP and other related system. Own assigned Change Controls and have active participation in the required board meetings following AZ Standards and procedures for Change Control Management. Contributes to the review and update of department SOP’s, training manuals and policy manuals as required. Coordinate activities with the PETs and Finance toward the completion of the RBUs, Phase Budget, MTP and other business cycles. Maintain effective communication channels between IPR and Contracted Toll manufactured(s), exercising adequate control over the contracted operation. Maintains Supply Chain Lead informed of key supply issues or deviations to contractual arrangements. Ensures all tolling activities are performed following the accepted Tolling Principles and actively participate in international or local product t teams for the IPR Toll Business. Alerts ISCM Leadership of production and supply issues, and of deviations to contractual arrangements between the Tollers’ and IPR. Reviews Tollers’ proposed Production Plans and confirms adequacy to meet customer demands or Replenishment Contract. Defines, agrees and ensures Tollers’ adherence to the planning rules established for each product and Toll Processor. Monitors and reports Tollers’ stock position ensuring compliance with stock level agreements. Investigates and obtains corrective action from Tollers’ for any related supply problems. Confirms Purchase Orders generated by the Tollers’ as back up to Export and Distribution representative ensuring PO match the requirements listed in Supply Plan. Maintains track of established Key Performance Indicators and reports deviations on time for prompt resolution. Reports performance at the monthly. Develops required SOP, SI or DOP to document the operational process and ensure continuity. Provides feedback on Tolling Contracts and maintains up t o date understanding of contractual commitments between IPR and Tollers’. Supports all toll-related special request activities. Actively participate in any new or existing product teams for the IPR toll business as a local and/or international member. Represent Site Super User Collaborates with others Supply Chain Planning Partners and other key Information Management professionals to develop best practice, ensuring consistency where appropriate. Serves as liaison between business and IT organization on all levels to: engage appropriate SME resources when complex support issues arise, help resolve IT-related issues, provide answers in a timely manner, tracking and documentation of user requests, engaging appropriate site/corporate/client resources to support the operation and timely closing of support service requests. Develops insights and lead change through appropriate exploitation of information systems with the intent of optimizing performance, reducing costs, minimizing risks associated with commercial operations and driving decisions Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Essential Education / Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Logistics, Business Administration or related discipline 10 years professional work experience with a minimum 5 -7 years in Supply Chain Environment (Manufacturing, Planning) Advanced supply chain (capacity and inventory) planning skill Experience in managing and developing solutions for supply chain events Understanding of different supply methods (IRL, VMI/CMI, Flow, Kanban) Understanding of supply chain planning parameters, master data and master data integrity & quality Language Fluent in English and Spanish. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Digital Literacy Intermediate skills working with MS Project, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Outlook. Proficient in SAP Planning and Execution and SAP SNP (Supply Network Planning) Modules. Skills and Competencies Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Knowledge of basic warehouse theory. Sampling/inspection/testing flow and process knowledge and SOPs. Knowledge of ANSI/ASQC Z 1.4 guidelines and cGMP's. Good quality judgment Self-starter. Capable to anticipate quality and operational potential problems. Promotes team work. Detailed oriented Good communication skills Flexible and adapting to change Looks like an exciting opportunity? Apply today! To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation, if needed. iPR Pharmaceuticals & AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity! We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on nondiscrimination in employment (and recruitment). Date Posted 21-Aug-2023 Closing Date 09-Sep-2023 AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law. AstraZeneca is an exciting global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company. We’re inspired by what science can do. Driven by the desire to meet unmet patient needs in our core therapeutic areas. Bold in our thinking. Proactive in pursuing discoveries beyond imagination. At sites across the world, we bring teams together in a spirit of collaboration to turn great ideas into life-changing medicines – strengthening our product portfolio and harnessing the potential of a pipeline across all stages of the drug development process. You’ll be part of a team that’s rolling back the frontiers of science to turn yesterday’s impossible into the normal of tomorrow. So, if you share our focus and passion, join us and make a difference to patients – and in return, we’ll help you develop way beyond what you thought possible.