Planning & Scheduling Specialist

The Planning & Scheduling Specialist (SC) works closely with Forecasting, Operations Planning, and Procurement Planning functions, reviewing and adjusting demands at a global and local level, compiling long and short-term capacity plans, and ensuring Supply Chain planning designs are set to achieve global service and inventory objectives.
Essential Functions:
"Create operational schedules based on throughput, customer service, and all other company and/or departmental goals
"Use SAP APO or other scheduling software techniques to optimize production schedules
"Analyze planned orders, requirements, and system designs with a view to global ClientSigma supply chain impact; convert planned orders to purchase requisitions or process orders as necessary
"Identify scheduling constraints and test various methods and strategies in order to reduce or eliminate those constraints (i.e. bulk size, availability, fill time, warehouse space)
"Develop SAP generated reports various performance measures to identify opportunities for refinement of strategies, process improvement, and testing
"Ensure a balanced load of work for production while allowing for flexibility with Bulk/Spec orders and minimizing WIP to ensure low cycle times
"Manage SAP exception messages and act on recommended plan changes including expediting or rescheduling process orders and purchase orders
"Schedule and maintain Top products to 99% service level
"Work closely with purchasing and production to ensure bulk availability and packaging requirements including supplies
"Work with global planning teams as needed to ensure planning designs and requirements are coordinated across the entire supply chain
"Analyze inventory and forecast status in order to provide superior customer service
"Analyze reports and participate in projects to eliminate backorders, optimize inventory and increase customer service
"Evaluate, test, recommend and/or implement changes that could improve service, cycle time, throughput efficiency, inventory levels, etc.
"Enforce inventory approval policies
"Manual data entry of forecast and demand information to GRASP and Access databases
"Communicate effectively with multiple levels of management and with Sales and Marketing departments
"Frequently explain SAP Planning policies and functions including how and why requirements are generated to personnel not necessarily familiar with that part of business
"Maintain and audit key SAP planning master data. Including, lot size, lead time, MRP controllers, special procurement keys, schedule margin key and purchasing type
"Support business unit objectives
"Must develop excellent understanding of complex processes from beginning to end and all steps in detail in order to perform trouble shooting and process improvement effectively.
"Miscellaneous duties and tasks as assigned
Education and Experience:
"Bachelor s degree in Business or equivalent work experience
"Minimum of 1 year experience in supply chain, forecasting and/or planning/scheduling
"Minimum of 2 years experience in moving material through the product delivery cycle
"APICS certification preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
"Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite
"Proficient in spreadsheets and databases, data analysis
"Working knowledge of SAP strongly preferred
"Basic scheduling techniques
"Basic material requirements planning knowledge and experience
"Knowledge of ISO standards in documentation preparation