New Product Planner
About The Position
The New Product Planner oversees new product launches to ensure close alignment between commercial, financial, and operational planning and execution. The role is highly visible across Product Development, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics, and Information Technology, and calls for process and project management skills and the ability to positively influence organizational performance. The planner manages project timelines and communications, tracks development tasks, supports demand and supply planning, and coordinates pre- and post-market introduction planning. The position also monitors launch forecasts against sales, supports supplier planning, and ensures launch-related activities are completed in accordance with company policies and applicable laws and regulations. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and experience launching new products in an orthopedics business. The employee must be able to meet the stated physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Experience launching new products in an orthopedics business.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Strong communication, listening, and facilitation skills.
- Well organized and detail oriented.
- Ability to work as a team player in a deadline-dictated environment.
Nice To Haves
- Project Management certification preferred.
Responsibilities
- Maintain project timelines and document changes, issues, reworks, scraps, and other notable events from project start through launch.
- Send monthly or more frequent chronological timelines and ensure relevant parties are included in communications.
- Track development tasks to ensure all steps are followed.
- Work with Product Development and Marketing to develop Market Introduction Plans (MIPs), coordinate with supply chain planning to assess competing priorities, and participate in the Pre-MIP and MIP approval process.
- Set up and facilitate Make vs. Buy meetings with Product Development, Supply Chain, Branch, and Executive Management.
- Work with Product Development and Purchasing to obtain quotes for parts before the MIP and facilitate Design for Manufacturing with selected vendors to confirm capability and necessary design changes before DCOs are processed.
- Work with the Product Manager to ensure MIP pricing is based on real vendor quotes.
- Ensure the design is frozen and that inspection sheets, gauging, set lists, forecasts, DCOs, and matching drawings/models are completed before the final MIP.
- After MIP approval, work with Purchasing to ensure orders are placed and expedited.
- Obtain additional approval when costs exceed the MIP-approved amount by more than 10% per line.
- Ensure Product Development completes a Product Rejection Form when parts are scrapped.
- Follow up with Purchasing Agents for vendor commitment and delivery-date updates.
- Translate approved MIPs into the Supply Chain forecast in an ERP by creating plans and entering sets and sales forecasts.
- Monitor forecast versus sales monthly for six months after launch through Order Planning meetings.
- Participate in Quarterly Set Prioritization processes so priority set demands are reflected in supply chain priorities communicated to suppliers.
- Work with Purchasing and vendors to construct accurate supply plans and timing.
- Develop launch timelines with Product Development based on supply commitments and communicate the latest information to appropriate teams.
- Follow the company Code of Conduct, AdvaMed Code, MedTech Code, and other company policies.
- Comply with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations in the United States and internationally; complete introductory and annual training and maintain role-related compliance knowledge.
- Represent the company professionally and uphold ethical business practices and socially responsible conduct in interactions with employees, customers, suppliers, and other third parties.
