Production Planner II

Merck KGaA•Saint Louis, MO

35d•$65,000 - $101,300

About The Position

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you've got big plans - so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people's lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us. The Production Planner II is responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating the flow of products and raw materials throughout the manufacturing process. This role proactively expedites activities that may impact production timelines and collaborates closely with Production, Quality Control, and Procurement to monitor backorders, prioritize work orders, and mitigate potential disruptions. The planner plays a key role in ensuring operational continuity and supporting efficient, on-time delivery

Requirements

HS diploma or GED
2+ years of production planning experience

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in any Supply Chain discipline
Experience in biochemical or biotechnical environments
APICS certification (or equivalent professional credential)
Proven ability to expedite activities that impact production schedules and adjust plans in response to unexpected changes
Capable of exercising sound judgment and making decisions independently within broad operational guidelines
Able to manage workload effectively with minimal supervision
Proficient in Oracle, SAP, or similar ERP platforms
Strong analytical thinking, conceptual problem-solving ability, and clear communication skills (both written and verbal)
Exceptional time-management and organizational abilities
Demonstrated excellence in both written and verbal communication

Responsibilities

Expedite workflow and address issues that may delay production; adjust schedules as needed to accommodate unexpected conditions
Analyze plant capacity, production data, and resource requirements to determine optimal manufacturing processes
Collaborate with Production, Quality Control, and Procurement to review backorder status, set production priorities, and resolve scheduling conflicts or interruptions
Influence a variety of customer, operational, and project activities within the team and across related functions to support overall performance
Utilize strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate discussions, build alignment, and foster effective cross-functional relationships
Apply advanced technical knowledge, analytical skills, and sound judgment to solve complex problems and contribute to ongoing process improvements
Coordinate detailed production plans to ensure timely availability of materials and support uninterrupted production operations; provide recommendations and insights to management
Help drive operational efficiency by identifying risks, proposing solutions, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned