Operations Planning Team Manager

Job Description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an Operations Planning Team Manager.

The Operations Planning Team Manager will be responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of planning and scheduling for Upstream Operations, beginning with batch initiation through to final disposition and release. This role manages a team of six to seven specialists and takes ownership of the Real-Time Manufacturing Schedule (RTMS), ensuring a seamless and continuous supply of single-use components and raw materials. The position is critical to optimising production cadence, maximising capacity, minimising lead times, and ensuring effective utilisation of resources. Collaboration across both Upstream and Downstream Integrated Process Teams (IPTs) is essential to achieving operational excellence.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

• Lead the production planning and scheduling process for the Upstream IPT by translating the master production schedule into clear, daily executable plans.
• Take ownership of the site’s Real-Time Manufacturing Schedule (RTMS), ensuring it is maintained accurately, aligns with Operations Leads, and adheres to all established schedules.
• Work closely with the Supply Chain team to ensure alignment on the master production schedule, communicate Sol Prep and Upstream requirements, and proactively manage and mitigate scheduling risks.
• Continuously improving our scheduling process and leveraging enterprise digital tools to enhance accuracy and performance visibility.
• Oversee inventory management processes and controls within the manufacturing area, ensuring timely delivery of materials to the appropriate consumption points.
• Project manage initiatives aimed at improving productivity, cadence, and overall operational efficiency in line with site and IPT strategic objectives.
• Facilitate daily Tier meetings and weekly supply reviews, providing clear and concise communication of the production plan across operational areas.
• Identify and resolve production and material constraints by collaborating with operations, planning, maintenance, engineering, and validation teams.
• Develop medium-term plans to support scenario analysis, resolve conflicts, and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Drive compliance with production cadence by conducting schedule adherence analyses, monitoring performance trends, and implementing timely corrective actions.
• Optimise production schedules and remove bottlenecks to accommodate changing operational demands.
• Oversee the batch record review process, ensuring it meets required timelines to support batch disposition and uninterrupted supply of quality products to patients.
• Lead initiatives to streamline and optimise the batch record review process in partnership with Quality Operations and the Qualified Person (QP) team.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all cross-functional planning information and dependencies.
• Produce and communicate daily, weekly, and monthly reports, tracking key operational metrics.
• Own and facilitate IPT Tier 4 processes, including setting agendas and conducting weekly meetings.
• Lead continuous improvement and problem-solving initiatives across both Upstream and Downstream IPTs.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team of specialists to support manufacturing excellence.

What skills you will need:

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a regulated industry, with a strong preference for backgrounds in planning, scheduling, or project management.
• Experience in biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly with upstream and/or downstream operations, is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with production planning and scheduling tools, as well as ERP systems such as SAP, is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and data literacy, including experience in forecasting and performance trending.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally, manage conflict, and influence outcomes.
• Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Working knowledge of cGMP and compliance requirements in biotech or pharmaceuticals is beneficial.
• Credentials in Lean or Continuous Improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen) are an advantage.
• Flexible, proactive, and resilient, with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application.

So, if you are ready to:

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.

Required Skills:

Biologics, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Project Management, Schedule Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

01/31/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.