Production Planner

Production, Planning & Scheduling (Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics)
Full time
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Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew, we craft and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

 
The Production Planner reports to the Site Planning Manager. Primary responsibilities include establishing and controlling production schedules to support the Master Production Schedule; interacting with the Site Planner, Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, and others to improve labour and material utilization; and coordinating inventory management activities. Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to balance short-term priorities, and outstanding information analysis skills are necessities. Key objectives include achieving, improving, or exceeding targeted customer service levels, handling WIP and inventory levels and targets, and handling supply and demand within the global supply chain.

The role focuses on adhering to schedule and product mix, ensuring lead time compliance, and optimizing inventory health. It involves identifying short- to long-term S&OP risks and opportunities and managing processes crucial to achieving these metrics.

 
What will you be doing? The role involves reviewing the master production schedule with a short-range focus, developing detailed manufacturing plans to optimize labour and material usage, and performing finite capacity scheduling for critical work centres. Responsibilities include executing replenishment orders and adjustments based on MRP/Schedule in SAP, maintaining strong communications with manufacturing to confirm production schedules, and supervising open production orders to ensure timely customer delivery. The planner proactively addresses product and material availability issues, reconciles component shortages, communicates material shortages to purchasing, and assists in identifying and resolving production problems.
Additionally, the role entails maintaining product availability dates for customer service, reviewing and maintaining master data integrity for assigned product lines, and revising system planning data to ensure effective SAP system planning. The planner is responsible for the timely resolution of returned goods, supervising discrepant inventory, and taking corrective actions as needed. The role also includes assisting in the development and implementation of production and inventory control programs, participating in new product launch activities, improvement projects, and Kaizen events passionate about cost, inventory, and lead time reduction. Special projects and assignments are completed as requested.

 
What will you need to be successful? The position is based in Penang, Malaysia, and requires a 4-year university bachelor's degree or equivalent in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field. Preferred qualifications include supply chain certification (APICS/CSCP/IBF) and Process Excellence certification. Candidates should have 5 years of experience in manufacturing, inventory planning, or purchasing, with extensive knowledge of ERP and sophisticated planning systems, preferably SAP. Implementation experience with ERP systems, knowledge of lean manufacturing principles like JIT, KANBAN, Pull Systems, and expertise in MS Office tools are also desirable. Experience in production planning within the medical, pharmaceutical, or consumer industry and familiarity with relevant legislation (e.g., GMP, ISO, UDI, MDR) is helpful.
Key proficiencies required for the role include a detailed understanding of supply chain planning and MRP concepts, along with the ability to anticipate and address potential inventory management issues. Strong time-management skills are essential to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have a strong drive for results, and the ability to adapt quickly to changes and nurture new insights. Strong analytical, planning, organizational, interpersonal, decision-making, and presentation skills are crucial. The role demands a self-starter who can work independently under pressure and respond swiftly to changing priorities.
Additionally, strong interpersonal and communication skills are vital, along with the courage to bring forward new insights and make credible decisions based on facts and sound judgment. Respecting and valuing differences, demonstrating empathy, effective communication, and engaging in performance management are important attributes. The candidate should be capable of working independently to tackle sophisticated problems and have good knowledge of PC applications and software, including MS Office tools and Power BI. Self-awareness and the ability to understand one's impact on others are also vital.

 
You. Unlimited. We believe in crafting the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.
Inclusion, Diversity and Equity: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Diversity, Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (
Your Future: Generous annual bonus and pension Schemes, Save As You Earn share options.
Work/Life Balance: Flexible Vacation and Time Off, Paid Holidays and Paid Volunteering Hours, so we can give back to our communities!
Your Wellbeing: Private Health and Dental plans, Healthcare Cash Plans, Income Protection, Life Assurance and much more.
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Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential.
From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it's our people who make Smith+Nephew a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it's our culture - of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win. We're a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.
Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential.
From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it's our people who make Smith+Nephew a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it's our culture - of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win. We're a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.
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