Raw Material Planner

Lonza • Portsmouth, NH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Raw Material Planner ensures the timely planning, procurement, and availability of materials needed to support production schedules while maintaining optimal inventory levels and supplier performance. The position is based in Lonza’s Portsmouth, New Hampshire office and typically follows a Monday-through-Friday schedule during regular business hours.

The planner converts planned orders into material plans, manages material requirements, partners with Supply Planners and Schedulers, and maintains planning parameters and material, vendor, and purchasing data in SAP and related systems. The role also converts purchase requisitions into purchase orders; coordinates with internal stakeholders and vendors to resolve supply issues; supports forecasts for non-BOM materials and consumables; and collaborates with planning and operations teams on inventory targets and safety stock.

Additional responsibilities include monitoring material availability and testing and release timelines, tracking material-related KPIs, managing supplier performance, resolving delivery, quality, pricing, and compliance issues, processing vendor returns and replacements, investigating material discrepancies, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives. The planner works across functions and supports additional departmental responsibilities as needed.

Lonza describes its globally connected workforce as operating across 30+ sites on five continents and highlights Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity as its core values. The company states that it offers equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants regardless of legally protected characteristics.

Requirements

• High school diploma required.
• Working knowledge of SAP ERP systems and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) processes.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, develop metrics, and identify root causes of supply chain issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple functions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving material availability challenges.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of inventory management principles, purchasing processes, and supply planning concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field.
• Previous experience in materials planning, purchasing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or inventory management.
• Experience using business intelligence and reporting tools to support operational decision-making.
• Knowledge of GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Convert planned orders into material plans and manage material requirements to support manufacturing schedules.
• Partner with Supply Planners and Schedulers to maintain accurate and responsive material plans.
• Create and maintain material planning parameters within SAP and related planning systems.
• Convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders to support production requirements.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and vendors to expedite material availability and resolve supply issues.
• Manage material-related KPIs and reporting to support supply chain performance and inventory visibility.
• Support forecasting activities for non-BOM materials and consumable inventory requirements.
• Collaborate with planning and operations teams to establish inventory targets and safety stock levels.
• Monitor and facilitate on-time material availability, including support for testing and release timelines.
• Maintain accurate material, vendor, and purchasing data within SAP.
• Manage supplier performance and resolve delivery, quality, pricing, and compliance issues.
• Process vendor returns and replacements and investigate material discrepancies as needed.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain efficiency and material availability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and support additional departmental responsibilities as needed.

Benefits

• Performance-related bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off (PTO).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED