Supply Chain Planner

Job Summary

The Supply Chain Management Planner is responsible for ensuring the stable supply of finished products to the Japanese market and bulk products to regional markets by developing and adjusting production plans for the Yamagata manufacturing site. This role also manages inventory levels and plans the procurement of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, and packaging materials to support uninterrupted production.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Supply Management

• Develop and maintain production plans for finished goods and bulk products based on demand forecasts, ensuring timely and stable supply.
• Monitor and adjust production schedules to respond to changes in demand, inventory, or manufacturing capacity.
• Plan and procure active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, and packaging materials in line with production requirements.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels for finished goods and production materials to ensure business continuity while minimizing excess inventory.

Key Accountabilities

1. Contribute to Department and Team Objectives

• Support the achievement of departmental goals aligned with the overall supply chain strategy.
• Meet established key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify, discuss, and implement initiatives to improve productivity and operational efficiency.

2. Ensure Stable Production and Procurement

• Develop production plans for in-house manufactured products and procurement plans for the required raw materials.
• Plan the purchase of manufacturing equipment and coordinate ordering and delivery schedules as required.
• Ensure the timely availability of materials and resources to support uninterrupted production.

3. Collaborate with Internal and External Stakeholders

Build strong working relationships with Demand Management (Commercial Supply Chain), Finance, manufacturing sites across the company, and external business partners to develop accurate production and procurement plans.

Responsibilities include:

• Foster collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships across functions.
• Maintain close communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Proactively contribute ideas and recommendations during cross-functional meetings.
• Coordinate and negotiate with internal departments and external partners to resolve supply chain issues.

4. Support New Product Launches

• Integrate validation batches into production schedules to support product launches.
• Coordinate the production and availability of products required for validation activities.
• Plan and execute initial commercial production.
• Ensure products are manufactured in the required quantities and delivered on schedule.

Experience Required

• At least 3 years of experience in Supply Chain Management, including inventory management, production planning, materials planning, or logistics, preferably within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or consumer healthcare industry.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP).

Knowledge & Skills

Preferred Knowledge

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, procurement, inventory management, distribution, and supply chain operations.
• Knowledge of accounting and cost accounting principles.
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including Master Data, Bills of Materials (BOM), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and related planning functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in any discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Working proficiency in English.