Associate Director, Global Planning Process Lead at Lonza Inc. in Walkersville, Maryland

Job Description:

We are looking for an innovative Global Business Process Leader to optimize our integrated production planning processes. You will be documenting our current processes, recommending improvements, and evaluating the efficiency of changes made to our business processes. The Associate Director – Global Business Process Lead (Integrated Planning) will lead the tactical advancement of global planning through a hands on approach to a best demonstrated practice.  The role will expand the adoption of our SAP (IBP) tool to improve our planning activities delivering the supply of materials, intermediates and FGs throughout our supply network.

This role will be responsible for building out the governance, cadence and standard work of the Master Production Scheduling, Production Scheduling and Material Requirements Planning They will ensure current needs are met for our manufacturing facilities as we transition expertise to SAP IBP planning.  This individually contributing role will evaluate and improve current planning techniques teaching and mentoring while driving automation for our diverse multi-site division. He/she will contribute strongly to the planning and achievement of our full SAP System utilization initiative for Planning across our global 6 site network.

The successful candidate will ensure best demonstrated practices are harmonized across our sites and will manage all specified duties to ensure the monthly Supply Planning processes are completed to support the current and to be state integrated planning processes within the sites.

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluating existing supply operational processes to improve planning at all operational levels.




• Determining and outlining business process improvements.




• Coordinating business process improvement strategies with internal stakeholders.




• Analyzing and monitoring implemented changes to business processes and making adjustments as needed.




• Revising and updating procedures and policies.




• Assist in the execution of the monthly supply planning cycle




• Ensure input from all relevant stakeholders are incorporated into supply plan




• Ensure and implement control in managing raw materials and finished goods inventory to prevent losses and/or scrap.




• Prepare supply planning input into monthly S&OP and annual budget cycles




• Ensure supply plan is inputted and maintained in relevant supply systems including SAP IBP and SAP ECC




• Ensure Supply Plans is used to drive related material, labor and asset capacity plans




• Maintain all supply related parameters and master data in relevant planning systems




• Develop (or work with Inventory Manager) to maintain inventory targets by categories and manage inventory of new and phase-out parts.




• Overseeing all aspects related to the implementation stages of business process improvement initiatives.




• Performing ongoing analyses on business processes planning processes




• Revising and updating procedures and policies




• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time for business meetings, site visits, and industry events.

Key Requirements:

• Extensive experience in Leading/Performing Systemic (SAP) demand planning, master scheduling, production planning, in a related industry.  Process ownership




• Proficiency in SAP planning modules and control tower, work flow software’s, Microsoft suite




• Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.




• Detailed knowledge of manual and SAP Planning




• Process mapping and improvement

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.  

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference. 

The full-time base annual salary for this remote position is expected to range between $139,500.00 and $162,750.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including performance-related bonus, medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more.  

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.