Senior Planner

MSD; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotech company in Ireland is seeking a Supply Chain Planning Senior Specialist. This role involves ensuring planning accuracy, managing planning tools, and engaging with network stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a background in supply chain or technical degrees, along with experience in planning and scheduling within the pharmaceutical sector. The company supports flexible working arrangements and is dedicated to inclusivity, making it a great place to contribute to addressing healthcare needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and scheduling production operations in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Ability to work with external and internal stakeholders across multiple functions and levels.
• Experience of new SAP implementation and Rapid Response is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Implement planning tools (MRP, Rapid Response) for Dublin site.
• Ensure production plans are accurate, aligned, and visible.
• Manage project implementation and maintain Planning Master Data.

Skills

Adaptability

Analytical Thinking

APICS CPIM

Data Analysis

Demand Forecasting

Inventory Management

Logistics Management

Production Scheduling

Supply Chain Operations

Education

Supply Chain degree or technical degree with planning experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a Supply Chain Planning Senior Specialist to strengthen planning accuracy, systems adoption, and network engagement for our Dublin (biotech) site. Reporting to the Planning Manager, you will serve as the primary planning representative to the wider company network, lead implementation of planning tools (MRP, Rapid Response), and ensure our 2-year production plan is accurate, aligned, and visible. You’ll own standard work, master data integrity, and KPI reporting to our company network IBP Supply Review and SCM governance.

What you’ll do

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

Network planning and production plan accuracy

• Own Rapid Response planning integrity and accuracy for the site.
• Deliver production forecasts that reconcile for quarterly locks
• Ensure site plans are aligned to network expectations and lock timelines.
• Summarise Supply/Demand information and participate in the Sales and Operations Planning process.

Site planning

• Project manage MRP and Rapid Response implementation for Dublin, from readiness through go-live and stabilisation.
• Participate in Planning COE calls; translate new tools/ways of working (WOW) into site practices and train the team.
• Lead Standard Work at the site by championing DILO/WILO models and cadence.
• Act as the MPS Champion for SCM, partnering closely with the MPS representative.
• Lead the maintenance of Planning Master Data (e.g., lead time offsets, MBTR release targets) and ensure data governance.

• Facilitate process order release to support upstream and downstream manufacturing. Ensure material availability to support process order release.
• Lead the introduction of new materials to the site, tracking all appropriate milestones from purchase requisition to purchase order allocation.
• Present status of non-standard consumption of strategic raw materials.

Network representation and cross-site coordination

• Serve as the first point of contact for the Dublin SCM team within network.
• Attend Supply Chain strategy meetings and lead resulting SCM activities.

Batch Disposition support

• Attend Disposition as SCM support, capturing actions and ensuring follow-through.

Scenario planning

• Support the Master Scheduler with scenario planning using Rapid Response or similar tools; recommend options and trade‑offs.

KPI ownership and reporting

• Own Planning KPIs and metrics; report to appropriate forums.
• Lead Time and MBTR: prepare metrics and commentary for Network SCM review at Global Supply Review

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

• Supply Chain degree or technical degree with planning experience is preferred.
• Experience in planning and scheduling production operations is required, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry. (Relevant experience with certification such as APICs CPIM/CSCP will also be considered).
• SAP experience (or equivalent ERP system) is required.
• Ability to work with external and internal stakeholders across multiple functions and levels is essential
• Experience of new SAP implementation and Rapid Response is beneficial.
• Experience in demand management is beneficial.
• Inventory Management experience is beneficial.
• Experience of site start‑up is beneficial.
• Certification in Lean and/or Six Sigma is beneficial.

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 or click on the link to find out more about our hybrid working model

So, if you are ready to:

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

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, APICS CPIM, Budgeting, Change Control Management, Data Analysis, Demand Forecasting, Detail-Oriented, Finance, Financial Planning, Inventory Management, Logistics Management, Order Management, Personal Initiative, Planning, Production Scheduling, Supply Chain Operations, Vendor 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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

01/7/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date.