Scheduling & Production Planning Analyst

Our client is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Bengaluru and a footprint across 100 countries. The company manufactures pharmaceutical products, over-the-counter drugs, and nutraceuticals. They operate two business verticals, Regulated Markets and Emerging Markets. Their manufacturing footprint covers 8 manufacturing facilities in 4 continents, including 5 US FDA approved facilities and a dedicated R&D facility in India with global filing capabilities.

The company partners with generic companies in US and Canada, to supply retail and hospital generics in injectable products and soft gels. In European markets, it has long-term relationships for the development of projects and supply agreements. In Australia and New Zealand, the company is engaged in manufacturing and supply of soft gels and value-added manufacturing.

Job Description:

• We are seeking a highly motivated Scheduling & Production Planning Analyst with expertise in inventory management and advanced Excel modeling skills.
• The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of experience in scheduling, production planning, and inventory management, with a strong ability to leverage Excel to optimize processes and improve efficiency.
• A background in finance is an added advantage, helping to drive decisions on new business opportunities, cost analysis and budget management within production and inventory functions.
• In this role, you will be responsible for developing and managing production schedules, optimizing inventory levels, forecasting demand, and analyzing data to support decision-making. 
• Your advanced Excel skills will be crucial in creating models for production, inventory planning, and reporting, while your understanding of finance will help identify cost-optimization opportunities.

Responsibilities:

Production Scheduling & Planning:

• Develop and manage production schedules, ensuring efficient resource allocation (labor, equipment, raw materials) and meeting production deadlines. Work closely with cross-functional teams to align production goals with business objectives.

Inventory Management:

• Monitor inventory levels and ensure alignment with production schedules. 
• Optimize inventory to minimize holding costs and reduce the risk of stockouts or overstock situations.

• Advanced Excel Modeling:

• Utilize advanced Excel skills to build and maintain models for production planning, inventory optimization, and scheduling.
• This includes using pivot tables, complex formulas, forecasting, data visualization, and macros to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

Forecasting & Demand Planning:

• Work with sales, procurement, and other teams to develop accurate demand forecasts, ensuring production schedules are aligned with customer needs and market trends.

Capacity & Resource Planning:

• Analyze production capacity and resource availability, adjusting schedules and inventory management to meet changing demands and operational constraints.

Cost Management & Financial Analysis:

• Collaborate with finance teams to monitor production and inventory costs, identify inefficiencies, and help with cost optimization strategies. finance background will assist in budgeting and forecasting for production-related topics.

Performance Reporting:

• Prepare and present regular reports on production performance, inventory levels, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet business goals.

Process Optimization:

• Continuously assess and refine production planning, scheduling, and inventory management processes. Recommend and implement improvements to reduce waste, increase throughput, and optimize resource utilization.

ERP System Utilization:

• Use ERP systems (SAP) to manage production and inventory data, ensuring accurate tracking of orders, materials, and resources.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Operations, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience in scheduling, production planning, and inventory management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, advanced formulas, forecasting models, macros, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, inventory management, and supply chain processes.
• A background in finance or financial analysis is an added advantage, helping to identify cost-optimization opportunities and manage budgets effectively.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and other inventory management tools.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with teams across the organization.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in Supply Chain Management or Finance-related qualifications (e.g., MBA) is a plus.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) for reporting and dashboard creation.
• Knowledge of production planning software or inventory management systems is beneficial.