Material Planner 2

Lonza; Vacaville (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile culture

Inclusive workplace

Competitive hourly rate

Job summary

Lonza is seeking a Materials Planner 2 to bridge procurement and analytics, acting as an external-facing procurement specialist focused on supplier management and procurement execution. This fully site-based role supports timely material readiness for production and NPI in a regulated manufacturing environment.

The candidate will convert MRP requirements into POs, manage external suppliers, and build dashboards using Excel and Power BI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience using ERP systems (Oracle or NetSuite highly preferred over SAP).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong proficiency in Power BI with a passion for analytics and creating functional dashboards.
• Prior experience as a Junior Buyer, Senior Buyer, or Procurement Specialist focusing on supplier-facing management.
• Experience using Fabriq or similar supply chain collaboration platforms is preferred.
• Previous experience in a highly regulated Biotech/FDA-regulated environment or complex manufacturing setting is preferred.
• Strong curiosity for exploring and mastering new supply chain software tools.

Responsibilities

• Convert MRP/MPS requirements into purchase requisitions and purchase orders while managing external suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external vendors, resolving supply chain issues, expediting orders, and managing delivery performance.
• Leverage data tools to analyze supply chain metrics, and design, build, and maintain performance dashboards to track on-time delivery, supplier reliability, and inventory levels.
• Monitor inventory levels proactively to identify potential shortages, excess stock, and supplier risks, implementing swift corrective action.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, and Finance to ensure material readiness for production and New Product Introductions (NPI).
• Focus on external-facing supplier management and procurement execution rather than purely internal scheduling.
• Master and explore new software tools to optimize supply chain workflows and cross-functional alignment.

Skills

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent

Tools

Oracle ERP

NetSuite

Fabriq

Job description

Material Planner 2

This role is ideal for a supply chain professional who thrives at the intersection of procurement and analytics. While titled as an MRP Planner, this position functions primarily as an external-facing Procurement Specialist, focusing heavily on supplier management, procurement execution, and leveraging modern software tools to optimize our supply chain.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards and the contract duration is 12 months.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Competitive hourly rate.

What you will do:

• Convert MRP/MPS requirements into purchase requisitions and purchase orders while managing external suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external vendors, resolving supply chain issues, expediting orders, and managing delivery performance.
• Leverage data tools to analyze supply chain metrics, and design, build, and maintain performance dashboards to track on-time delivery, supplier reliability, and inventory levels.
• Monitor inventory levels proactively to identify potential shortages, excess stock, and supplier risks, implementing swift corrective action.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, and Finance to ensure material readiness for production and New Product Introductions (NPI).
• Focus on external-facing supplier management and procurement execution rather than purely internal scheduling.
• Master and explore new software tools to optimize supply chain workflows and cross-functional alignment.

What we are looking for:

• Proven hands‑on experience using ERP systems (Oracle or NetSuite experience highly preferred over SAP).
• Prior experience as a Junior Buyer, Senior Buyer, or Procurement Specialist focusing on supplier-facing management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong proficiency in Power BI with a passion for analytics and creating functional dashboards.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience using Fabriq or similar supply chain collaboration platforms is preferred.
• Previous experience in a highly regulated Biotech/FDA-regulated environment or complex manufacturing setting is preferred.
• Strong curiosity for exploring and mastering new supply chain software tools.

About Lonza

At Lonza, their people are their greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, their globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Their core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who they are and how they work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work they want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, they value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

As Lonza’s talent acquisition partner, please note, Randstad is responsible for the engagement and contracting of this contingent role.