Senior Materials Planner

Senior Planner, Materials ManagementStandard hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMJob Type: Long Term Contract, Hybrid (3 days in office)Pay Rate: Between $55 to $61 an hour or up to $123,000 a yearLocation: Cambridge, MA 02142OverviewAt this company, we are advancing RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics to improve outcomes for patients with serious diseases. We combine scientific innovation, operational excellence, and collaboration to make a meaningful impact for patients around the world.The Senior Planner, Materials Management plays a critical role in supporting material availability across internal and external manufacturing operations. This position partners closely with Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Development, Regulatory, Clinical, and Commercial teams to translate demand into material strategies, optimize inventory performance, and ensure reliable supply continuity.Key ResponsibilitiesPlanning & Material StrategyPartner with Global Supply Planning, Development, and Manufacturing teams to convert demand forecasts into effective material plans.Manage material planning and procurement activities in support of manufacturing schedules and MRP requirements.Contribute to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process and build strong cross-functional relationships across the organization.Support strategic materials planning initiatives for specialty and high-value raw materials.Assist with new chemistry and material launches.Inventory & Systems ManagementMaintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) for commercial and development products.Optimize safety stock levels, reorder points, and replenishment parameters to support uninterrupted supply.Monitor SAP transactions and material flow to maintain inventory accuracy and continuity of supply.Manage raw material inventory while balancing service levels, risk mitigation, and excess inventory exposure.Develop reporting and planning analysis to support business decisions.Procurement & Supplier CoordinationCreate purchase requisitions and purchase orders for direct materials.Expedite critical orders and resolve supply chain issues as needed.Partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to resolve invoicing and supply-related challenges.Communicate material status updates to key stakeholders.Analysis & Continuous ImprovementPerform forecasting, production scheduling, and scenario planning activities.Support reporting, analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.Utilize data-driven decision-making, even when working with incomplete or limited datasets.Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, inventory performance, and operational efficiency.QualificationsBachelor’s degree required, preferably in Supply Chain Management or a related field.4–7 years of experience in supply chain planning, materials management, buyer/planner functions, or a related role within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated manufacturing environment.Candidates with a master’s degree and 2–4 years of relevant experience will also be considered.Additional years of experience beyond the target range are welcomed.Strong understanding of:Materials planningInventory controlProcurement coordinationForecasting and production schedulingContinuous improvement methodologiesExperience supporting manufacturing and supply chain operations in complex environments.Knowledge of pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing, GMP principles, and new product introduction processes.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make informed decisions using limited or incomplete data.Experience with ERP systems, ideally SAP.Advanced Excel skills, including:Excel MacrosVBATroubleshooting macro-enabled spreadsheetsExperience with Power BI preferred.Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and manage difficult stakeholder situations.Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt or APICS certification preferred.Detail-oriented, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is an analytical and collaborative supply chain professional with experience supporting manufacturing environments and managing specialty materials. This individual should be comfortable navigating ambiguity, making informed assumptions with incomplete data, and partnering cross-functionally to solve complex supply chain challenges.Strong Candidate IndicatorsManufacturing or supply chain planning experienceMaterials planning and buyer/planner backgroundStrong analytical and forecasting skillsSAP and advanced Excel expertiseExcellent communication and stakeholder management skillsCollaborative, team-oriented mindsetWillingness to work onsite regularlyExperience supporting strategic or specialty materials