Senior Production Planner

About Meridian
Meridian Bioscience is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. We are looking for talented and passionate individuals that help drive our vision. Our innovative culture will allow interested candidates to discover and create, through collaboration, cutting edge solutions to tough problems.

Job Summary
Responsible for production planning and master scheduling for diagnostic products with the goal of optimizing customer satisfaction, productivity and inventory investment. A high visibility and responsible position that will impact the overall success of the organization. Responsible for overall control and maintenance of the manufacturing order system, raw material inventory planning, capacity analysis, and logistics coordination of outside suppliers within diagnostic products manufacturing. Works closely with Planning Management on production planning issues and supply chain improvements.

Key Duties

• Generate and ensure the effective execution of the Master Production Schedule for assigned diagnostic product lines and creates weekly production schedules for internal and external work centers.
• Coordinate with production, warehouse, quality, procurement, and engineering to requisition, plan, and schedule the movement of raw materials, packaging materials, parts, components, services, and related material through production and inventory processes.
• Ensure a controlled flow of material to meet requirements while limiting inventory investment.
• Schedule equipment and workforce, confirms material supply and demands, prepares work orders or requisitions for the production or purchase of components or parts based on a master production schedule, shop load, and inventory requirements.
• Coordinate the company cycle counting program, analyzes count discrepancies, and initiates inventory accuracy improvement efforts with warehouse management. Maintains records and works with outside auditors to verify process integrity.
• Advise management of the status of work in progress, material availability, inventory levels, and potential production or material supply disruptions to ensure that equipment, materials, and services are provided on-time and at an optimal cost.
• Work with Marketing, Sales, Shipping, and Customer Service to coordinate production with all other aspects of the distribution process. Ensure custom and special orders are completed on time and to customer specifications.
• Manage scrap reporting process and maintains all appropriate documentation including approvals.
• Develop and publish metrics to drive performance tracking and improvement.
• Develop and implement production and inventory optimization strategies for promotions, new products, discontinued products, and all other stocked products.
• Analyze short term capacity constraints and effect necessary adjustments to resources. Monitor actual production and compare to schedule. Make recommendations for future capacity needs based on long term planning.
• Monitor and close all work orders, remaining current with both the work orders and the components consumed by the work orders and ensure all other inventory transactions are timely to assure record accuracy.
• Monitor inventory levels and attain assigned inventory turn targets.
• Work with production and quality personnel to resolve on hold or potential scrap inventory issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain ERP system data fields for all assigned items including bills of materials and labor routings.
• Provide direction and communication on certain production issues and conducts daily/weekly production meetings.
• Train new production personnel on inventory and manufacturing transaction processes and provides refresh training when needed.
• Coordinate Hazmat testing and UN certification process on all shipping containers.
• Ability to follow current SOPs, GMPs and QSRs and reports potential safety hazards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferably in Production/Manufacturing, Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field
• MBA or Master's degree in supply chain management preferred
• APICS (or equivalent) certification is highly desirable
• 5+ years of experience in planning within a manufacturing environment
• Previous experience with chemicals, biologicals, or IVD products preferred
• In-depth knowledge of world-class manufacturing processes and practices
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Materials Resource Planning (MRP) software required, knowledge of INFOR preferred
• Computer proficiency (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc) required

Competencies Required or preferred:

• Must have strong problem solving, troubleshooting and analyzing skills and can make sound judgments and decisions decisively.
• Must be well organized and have the ability to meet strict deadlines and perform under pressure in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team setting with peers and colleagues in a cross functional setting.
• Strong written and oral communication skills verbally and in writing (clear, concise and honest).
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.
• Self-motivated and able to grasp new concepts quickly
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality requirements.
• Must be able to work additional hour outside the normal workday (including evenings and weekends).

Other Duties/Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk up and down several flights of stairs throughout the workday in a multi-location facility.
• Must be able to adhere to applicable bio-safety practices when on the manufacturing floor or in laboratories.
• Willing to work around hazardous chemicals and biologicals with proper protective equipment.
• Must be able to concentrate, analyze and solve complex issues routinely throughout the course of the work shift in an open office space environment.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time, stoop, reach, bend throughout the course of the workday.
• Ability to work on PC including repetitive use of a keyboard and mouse for long periods throughout the course of the workday.

*All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. (USA Only)*