Planning Specialist

Summary

We are seeking an experienced and analytical Senior Planning Specialist to oversee all operational planning activities. In this role, you will drive end-to-end demand and supply alignment, manage Master Production Schedules (MPS), and utilize advanced analytical tools—specifically W-Charts and Excess & Obsolescence (E&O) analyses—to mitigate risks and manage customer claims effectively.

Detailed Description

Demand Analysis & Capacity Planning: Validate incoming customer demand and build/maintain W-Charts to track demand evolution, assessing its direct impact on Manufacturing Value Add (MVA) and production capacity.
Master Scheduling & Execution: Load the Master Production Schedule (MPS) in accordance with the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) schedule. Review MRP outputs, release Purchase Requisitions (PRs), and maintain the Demand & Supply (D&S) tracking file.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead discussions on MPS Gaps with Cross-Functional Team (CFT) leaders. Partner closely with Procurement to ensure material availability for production.
E&O & Claims Management: Proactively identify, evaluate, and validate Excess & Obsolescence (E&O) risks driven by demand increases or decreases. Generate supporting W-Charts to issue formal E&O claims to customers.
ERP & Master Data Maintenance: Configure and maintain Materials Management (MM) master data fields in the ERP system, ensuring a deep understanding of operational and system-wide implications.
Engineering Change (EC) Management: Apply advanced knowledge of Engineering Change processes to execute Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) accurately within the schedule.
Inventory Optimization & Analytics: Leverage advanced knowledge of inventory management, inventory turns, and strategic MPS loading. Execute and utilize analytical tools (e.g., Risk Reports / RR) to support decision-making.
Customer Communication: Communicate short- and long-term delivery plans directly to customers, ensuring execution to plan and proactively reporting any schedule deviations.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

Advanced PC skills (Excel, data manipulation, analytical modeling).

In-depth understanding of MRP/MPS logic, Inventory Turns, MM master data, and EC/ECO processes.

Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English.

High attention to detail and strong analytical mindset.

Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.

Typical Experience

4–6 years of hands-on experience in Supply Chain, Production, or Material Planning (EMS/Manufacturing experience preferred).

Typical Education

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Educational requirements may vary by geography.

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.