Manager, Purchasing & Planning

The Purchasing & Planning Manager is responsible for developing and continuously improving the site demand plan, and mentoring and managing the buyers and planners who execute to the production schedule in a strictly regulated Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) environment. This role balances operational demand, supplier capability, inventory strategy, and site priorities while ensuring supply continuity and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will manage complex demand profiles spanning Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and routine clinical/commercial manufacturing, while coordinating closely with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Finance, and Program Management.

Responsibilities

• Material Planning: Translate demand forecasts into material requirements plans (MRP), ensuring appropriate quantities, timing, safety stock, and lead-time assumptions.
• Supplier Coordination: Collaborate with Quality and Supply Chain to support supplier delivery, qualification, performance monitoring, and issue resolution. Proactively manage risk associated with critical and sole-source materials.
• Demand Forecasting: Develop, publish, and maintain forecasts supporting Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and commercial/clinical manufacturing activities.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels to balance service, cash, and risk; identify and drive mitigation plans for excess, obsolete, or at-risk material.
• Data Integrity: Maintain accurate planning and purchasing data within ERP and planning systems (item masters, lead times, MOQ, safety stock) to support reliable execution.
• Leadership: Serve as the primary liaison between supply planning, procurement, manufacturing, and program teams; integrate with site operating cadence to communicate demand or supply changes and manage expectations.
• Performance Management: Define, monitor, and report key performance indicators such as material readiness, supplier on time delivery, forecasting accuracy, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MA/MS degree in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in demand planning, purchasing, or supply chain roles, preferably in a cGMP environment.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret demand, inventory, and supplier performance data.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., IFS or comparable) and planning tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate across multiple functions.
• High attention to detail and documentation discipline to support compliance requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to act with urgency to resolve supply issues