Senior Production Planner/Scheduler

The Senior Production Planner/Scheduler will lead our production planning and material flow optimization. This individual will be responsible for setting up, managing, and improving our MRP system, overseeing the planning process to ensure materials are available when needed for the production team, and driving continuous improvement in material movement across the manufacturing floor. Additionally, this role will serve as the global point of contact for addressing work-in-progress (WIP) discrepancies and aging production orders. The Senior Production Planner/Scheduler reports directly to the Materials Manager. Key Responsibilitites: MRP & Production Planning Configure, launch, and maintain the MRP system to support production planning and inventory accuracy. Develop and optimize planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, reorder points). Reviews material requirements through MRP forecasts and/or special requirements and initiates commercial action based on current needs analysis and inventory position Study production schedules and estimate worker hour requirements for completion of job assignment. Regularly reviews open orders with regards to changes in demand and inventory position, reschedules/cancels orders accordingly and corrects open purchase orders to update necessary changes. Material Flow Optimization/Continuous Improvement Analyze and improve material movement processes on the shop floor to reduce bottlenecks and increase efficiency. Collaborate with production teams to ensure timely availability of materials. Releases/modifies works orders to establish sequence and lead time of each operation to meet shipping dates according to sales forecasts or customer orders. Identify opportunities for process improvement in planning and material handling. Implement best practices for inventory control and production scheduling. Global Coordination & Team Collaboration Act as the primary contact for aged jobs and negative WIP across all sites. Drive resolution of discrepancies by working with production, supply chain, and finance teams. Closely collaborating with buyers and supply chain personnel Interprets specifications and job orders to front-line employees Reporting & Metrics Monitor KPIs related to material availability, WIP accuracy, and planning adherence. Provide regular updates to leadership on progress and challenges. Assists in maintaining supplier metrics for quality, delivery and pricing volatility. Escalates supplier issues to gain support from Supply Chain leaders as necessary. Prepares reports and maintains necessary information and files to enable efficient operation. Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations management, or related field. 7+ years of experience in production planning, MRP/ERP systems, and material flow management. Experience in the electromechanical or semiconductor industries a plus. Technical Experience: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and coordination abilities across global teams from all organizational levels Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Business Central or similar). Previous MRP implementation experience highly desirable. Experience with lean manufacturing principles. Advanced data analysis capabilities. Highly proficient understanding of MRP, JIT, reorder points, Kan Ban, and VMI consignment processes for inventory control Strong Root Cause Analysis mindset Must have the ability to multitask with strong time/priority management skills. Excellent verbal and written (English) communication skills Superior organizational skills and attention to details Strong proficiency with office productivity applications (Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Word, Adobe) Working Environment: Onsite role based in Bedford, MA Mix of office, stockroom, clean room, and manufacturing environments, requiring adaptability International collaboration with teams in Finland, US, China, India, and Serbia including cross-cultural communication. Fast-paced, hands-on environment, supporting both corporate and local teams. About Us: Amptek is a world leader in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of radiation detection components used in X-ray and gamma-ray detection. These are used primarily in X-ray spectroscopy, for analytical chemistry in laboratory and portable applications, and in nuclear and space research.