Planning Specialist

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.

• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL (Lake Bluff, IL) location in the Transfusion Medicine, Diagnostics Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people. 

The Planning Specialist will provide production planning/scheduling, inventory management, or distribution support to maintain production operations and customer product availability. 

What You’ll Work On

Planning & Execution

• Develop and maintain production plan for one or more product pipelines and ensure plan is feasible. Recommend alternate action to be taken if the master production schedule is missed. 

• Respond to unplanned demand or quality issues by updating schedules and collaborating with cross-functional teams to minimize disruptions caused by product changes or internal issues.

• Apply expertise in manufacturing resource planning, capacity planning, master scheduling, customer service, and inventory management to drive operational efficiency.

• Respond to unplanned demand or quality issues by updating schedules and collaborating with cross-functional teams to minimize disruptions caused by product changes or internal issues.

• Develop and implement plans to achieve goals, prioritizes tasks, allocates resources, and adjusts strategies to meet deadlines and objectives.

Analysis & Decision-Making

• Forecast material requirements for finished goods, intermediates, and raw materials, translating them into executable supply plans. 

• Analyze trends and adjust planning parameters to optimize production and inventory outcomes; create simulation models integrating manufacturing needs across areas.

• Collect, interpret, and analyze complex data to forecast trends, assess impacts, and recommend actionable options.

• Perform risk analysis, quantify financial implications, and evaluate risk/reward trade-offs to support sound decisions.

• Make timely decisions using the best available information.

Project & Process Management

• Define project requirements, milestones, and success factors; monitor progress and adapt plans as needed.

• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities and champions process improvements to enhance productivity.

Communication & Collaboration

• Coordinate and communicate priorities across work centers to ensure alignment with production goals.

• Tailor communication to audience needs, share timely and relevant information, and foster cross-functional collaboration.

• Influence outcomes constructively, confront issues appropriately, and support team decisions.

• Actively participate as a team member or leader, promoting a productive and inclusive work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree: BA, BBA, or BS required with 3-5 experience directly relevant to the area.

• Experience includes manufacturing environment, experience with financial modeling and analysis, knowledge of materials and inventory computer systems, thorough understanding of planning / inventory management systems and policies, demonstrated project leadership.

• Knowledge of regulations and standards affecting IVDs and Biologics.

• Experience with SAP or other ERP system required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ work experience in a supply chain or manufacturing role within Biological Science or Healthcare Industry.

• APICS Certification a plus.