Master Production Planner

Nextern; Maple Grove (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Personal days

Birthday holiday

Life insurance

Family leave

Disability

Taco Thursdays

Job summary

Nextern is seeking a Master Production Planner to develop and maintain the site MPS across multiple client programs at our US medical device CDMO site. You will synchronize manufacturing, materials, and quality resources to protect on-time delivery while considering lead times and capacity constraints.

Responsibilities include converting forecasts into capacity-balanced build plans, maintaining data integrity in ERP/MRP, and supporting S&OP processes with KPIs on-time delivery and backlog.

Qualifications

• Experience in master production scheduling and capacity balancing.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP processes and KPI tracking.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations in medical devices is a plus.
• Ability to translate forecasts into executable production plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop, publish, and maintain the site master production schedule (MPS) across client programs.
• Convert forecasts and commitments into an executable build plan in the ERP/MRP system.
• Run MRP outputs, release and reschedule work orders to align capacity with the MPS.
• Maintain planning parameters and data integrity for reliable MRP recommendations.
• Escalate material or capacity shortfalls with recovery plans and dates.

Skills

Supply chain planning

ERP/MRP systems

Capacity planning

Cross-functional coordination

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Job description

The Master Production Planner is a key member of Nextern’s Supply Chain organization, responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing the master production schedule (MPS) across multiple concurrent client programs at Nextern’s US medical device contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) site. This individual translates client demand, forecasts, and contractual delivery commitments into an achievable, capacity-balanced production plan — synchronizing manufacturing, materials, and quality resources to protect on-time, in-full delivery. The Master Production Planner serves as the critical link between Program Management, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Quality, ensuring the schedule reflects real-world constraints such as component lead times, equipment capacity, and regulatory holds while meeting the delivery, quality, and cost performance expected by world-class medical device clients.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, publish, and maintain the site master production schedule (MPS) across multiple client programs and product lines, balancing demand, capacity, and inventory targets.

Convert client forecasts, purchase orders, and contractual delivery commitments into an executable, capacity-balanced build plan within the site’s ERP/MRP system.

Run and interpret MRP outputs; release, reschedule, and prioritize work orders to align material availability, labor, and equipment capacity with the MPS.

Maintain accurate planning parameters – lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, BOM and routing data – to ensure MRP recommendations remain reliable.

Manage the planning time fence and change control process, evaluating schedule impact before committing new orders, engineering changes, or expedite requests.

Capacity & Constraint Management

Model and monitor production capacity by line and work center; identify capacity gaps and constraints and propose recovery options such as overtime, resequencing, or subcontracting.

Partner with Manufacturing and NPI to translate development and pilot-scale programs into full commercial-scale production schedules.

Support rough-cut capacity planning and scenario (“what-if”) analysis for new client programs, demand changes, and capital equipment decisions.

Escalate material or capacity shortfalls that put client delivery commitments at risk, with clear recovery plans and revised dates.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Client Delivery

Serve as the scheduling point of contact for Program Management, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Quality on delivery status, risks, and priorities.

Participate in daily tier meetings and weekly operations/S&OP reviews, providing data-driven visibility into schedule adherence, backlog, and at-risk orders.

Communicate schedule changes, priorities, and constraints clearly and proactively across departments and to client-facing teams.

Reconcile demand signals from multiple clients against available capacity and materials as part of the site’s Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.

Data Integrity & Systems

Own the accuracy of planning-related master data – BOMs, routings, lead times, and planning codes – within the ERP/MRP system.

Build and maintain planning dashboards and KPIs, including on-time delivery, schedule adherence, past-due backlog, and inventory turns.

Identify and implement continuous improvement to planning workflows, applying lean principles to reduce variability and manual rework.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure production plans and schedule changes are executed in compliance with 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, and applicable client and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate with Quality to incorporate inspection, validation, and disposition holds into the production schedule without compromising delivery commitments.

Maintain traceability of planning decisions and schedule changes consistent with Device History Record and documentation requirements.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off, Personal Days, AND Birthday Holiday!
• Lifetime Membership Subsidy and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Taco Thursdays!!!

Nexternis an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.