Planning and Materials Manager

Overview

Department Function:

Production Planning & Scheduling, Deployment Planning, Inventory Management & Planning, Materials Planning,  NPI materials Planning, inbound / outbound logistics

Main function of job: (due to the importance of employee flexibility, employees may be required to carry out other duties in addition to these functions):

This role will be part of the local Taunton leadership team with specific responsibility for leading (and developing) the Supply Chain, Planning and warehouse management functions while also supporting the strategic development of the site.

The position provides leadership & direction to the Supply Chain team in all aspects of the function(s) outlined above providing strategic & tactical direction that secures and sustains supply continuity within applicable good manufacturing practice regulations and compliance to ISO 9001. The position is responsible and accountable for applying the Global Supply Chain (GSC)  planning standards to the local execution level. Further, the role will partner with Global Supply Chain and Global Procurement to : enhance supplier performance and drive supply assurance into the network, identify and execute cost saving initiatives and improvement projects in the areas of  freight, material spend, working capital investment and to develop and optimize use of the planning systems.

Overview:

Waters’ Taunton, Massachusetts Operation is seeking a highly motivated, enterprise minded individual to manage our planning group. This supply chain professional will be responsible for all Production Control,  Planning & Scheduling,Incoming, Receiving, Stockroom Activities, and Inventory Control.

This individual will manage a complex global supply chain from raw material purchase to delivery of manufactured materials to the Waters’ Wexford, Ireland manufacturing plant and to external customers. Activities also include participation in the introduction of new chemistry products and ISO quality audits, and identifying and driving continuous improvement in in all areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement supply chain strategies to achieve desired product availability and customer service levels and reduce end to end lead time,  while optimizing efficiency, and inventory levels, reducing costs, and ensuring flow of materials through our end to end chemistry products supply chain.
• Scheduling. Work with Global Demand and Supply planning teams, and with local operations to develop production schedules that fulfill customer needs and balance the optimization of inventory, cost & supply.
• Ensure accurate representation of capacity in our systems and work with operations teams to find solutions to increase agility/ reduce lead time and maximize asset and resource efficiency.
• Responsible for working with R&D, engineering and commercial teams to facilitate new product transfers from R&D to the Taunton plant
• Ensure that Material Requirements Planning system (MRP) in place, is effective and that data is accurate and up to date and resolve any issues as required. Ensure the integrity of Bill of Materials (BOM) and inventory accuracy at all times and manage and control inventory levels and movements.
• Identify best practices to be adopted into current business processes & create a prioritized roadmap of changes to be introduced, working with both business leaders on other transformation leads to reach alignment.
• Deploy new processes and functionality, supported with appropriate training programs, super-user groups, etc.
• Logistics and Distribution: Coordinate and optimize the transportation/ logistics/ storage of incoming materials and processed materials. Streamline logistics processes for minimum lead time and maximum efficiency.
• Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of plant wide data metrics relating to supply chain performance. Raw Material/Packaging consumption and yield of processing of ingredients through the plant.
• Maintain a safe work environment  and drive a culture that promotes and maintains a safe and healthy workplace for employees, ensuring that all Health & Safety procedures and legislative requirements are adhered to.
• Manage the transition of all materials activities and processes into the new chemical facility. Develop and gain alignment to ramp down / ramp up and further product validation plans across the old/ new site.
• Participate as member of Taunton site leadership team to achieve overall site goals and financial metrics and contribute to overall site strategy development and deployment
• Ensure compliance with ISO Quality System (as per your area of functional responsibility) and  ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, participate in internal and external quality audits as required
• Support the Continuous Improvement Lean program, initiating and driving projects to deliver benefit to internal and external stakeholders

The Planning and Material Manager will also be key in leading the transition of all materials activities into our new chemical facility (currently in validation and handover). This individual will work in conjunction with manufacturing to develop best practices for efficient materials movement in the new facility.

Qualifications

• BA/BS required, Degree in Supply Chain Management. MBA preferred.
• 3-5 years’ industrial work experience in management within a supply chain environment
• A proven track record of people management/leadership, project management and vendor management are essential.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation and communication skills, both written and oral. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of production planning in a multi-step/ batch chemical processing facility is highly desired

• Strong operational skills and technical skills including significant expertise in  SAP ECC, APO systems. APICS certification and Master Scheduling and LEAN Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of customs / trade compliance
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Proven ability to manage many projects simultaneously

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), the world's leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for over 60 years. With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, with products available in more than 100 countries. Our team focuses on creating business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations to enable significant advancement in healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality.   

Working at Waters enables our employees to unlock the potential of their careers. Our global team is driven by purpose. We strive to be better, learn and improve every day in everything we do. We’re the problem solvers and innovators that aren’t afraid to take risks to transform the world of human health and well-being. We’re all in it together delivering benefit as one to provide the insights needed today in order to solve the challenges of tomorrow. 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It is our responsibility to actively implement programs and practices to drive inclusive behavior and increase diversity across the organization. We are united by diversity and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or protected Veteran status. 

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