Manager, Scheduling & Manufacturing Planning

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Manager, Scheduling & Manufacturing Planning is responsible for leading the production scheduling function to ensure efficient, compliant, and reliable scheduling of cell therapy manufacturing operations. This role is accountable for optimizing production schedules, maximizing manufacturing capacity and resource utilization, and ensuring production plans support business objectives and customer commitments.

The Manager leads and develops the Production Scheduling team while serving as the business owner for manufacturing planning systems and scheduling processes. This individual partners cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Development, Engineering, and IT to continuously improve planning processes, strengthen operational performance, and enable scalable manufacturing operations.

This position combines operational leadership, people leadership, systems ownership, and continuous improvement to ensure manufacturing planning supports both current operations and future growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning

• Lead the production scheduling function to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations.
  

• Develop and maintain production schedules that optimize manufacturing capacity, equipment availability, staffing, and customer commitments.

• Balance production demand with available resources while proactively identifying and resolving scheduling constraints.

• Monitor schedule attainment, production performance, and planning effectiveness, implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Establish planning standards and continuously improve scheduling processes to increase operational efficiency and manufacturing throughput.

• Provide leadership during changes in production priorities, new product introductions, technical transfers, and operational disruptions.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Production Schedulers while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and complete performance evaluations.

• Develop cross-training plans to ensure business continuity and scheduling coverage.

• Build organizational capability by mentoring team members and strengthening planning competencies.

• Prioritize workload, allocate resources effectively, and remove barriers to team success.

Planning Systems & Business Process Ownership

• Serve as Business Process Owner for production scheduling systems, including OpCenter APS and related manufacturing planning applications.

• Partner with IT and Manufacturing leadership to identify, prioritize, and implement system enhancements.

• Maintain scheduling system integrity, reporting capabilities, user administration, and business processes.

• Own scheduling-related SOPs, work instructions, training materials, and system documentation.

• Provide subject matter expertise and user support for manufacturing planning systems.

Operational Excellence

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on scheduling effectiveness, resource utilization, and manufacturing flow.

• Utilize Lean principles and data-driven analysis to eliminate waste and improve planning performance.

• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects supporting operational excellence, system improvements, and manufacturing scalability.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate scheduling effectiveness and operational performance.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Quality, Engineering, MSAT, Customer Operations, and Commercial teams to align production plans with business priorities.

• Represent Manufacturing Planning on cross-functional initiatives and operational planning discussions.

• Support internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with GMP, regulatory, and company requirements.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of manufacturing policies, procedures, and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Life Sciences, or related discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years of production planning, scheduling, manufacturing operations, or supply chain experience within a regulated manufacturing environment.

• Prior experience leading or supervising employees.

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS), ERP, or comparable planning systems.

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

• Experience supporting GMP-regulated biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or cell therapy manufacturing.

• Experience implementing operational process improvements.

• Knowledge of Siemens OpCenter or similar manufacturing planning systems.

Success Measures:

• Production schedule attainment.

• Manufacturing capacity and resource utilization.

• Planning accuracy and schedule stability.

• Continuous improvement implementation.

• Development and engagement of the scheduling team.

• System reliability and user adoption.

• Audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

• Cross-functional partnership and operational support.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• This is a Monday-Friday role with 3 days in our Burlington office, and 2 days in our Cambridge Office.
• May be required to sit for long periods of time while performing cell culture operations.
• Ability to gown and gain entry to manufacturing areas.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.

Why Vericel?

• Cutting-Edge Science: Work with a leading regenerative medicine product that is transforming patient care.
• Career Growth: Be a part of a growing organization with opportunities to expand your impact
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving lives.

The salary range Vericel reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at the time of this posting is $127,000 to $140,000 annually.

The actual salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skills. Bonus, incentive pay, equity and benefits may be provided in addition to the base compensation listed above.

In accordance with Massachusetts law, Vericel provides the pay range that it reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a particular and specific employment position at the time of posting or offer. This range is subject to change based on business needs, market conditions, and individual qualifications. Employees and applicants may request the pay range for their position or for a position to which they are applying. Retaliation for making such a request is strictly prohibited.

EEO Statement

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or protected veteran status and will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Vericel Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Vericel Corporation is VEVRAA federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans for job openings at all locations within the state.