Master Planner

About Ardena

Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in precision medicine development. Ardena supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market.

The Ardena Group operates from five sites across Europe and the United States, employing more than 750 professionals. Ardena European sites are located in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), and Pamplona (Spain). Ardena US facility is based in Somerset, New Jersey.

Ardena provides integrated services spanning drug substance development, drug product formulation, GMP manufacturing, bioanalytical services, clinical logistics, fill and finish, and CMC regulatory support.

Ardena is hiring aMaster Planner to join the Supply Chain team at our Somerset (US) site. You will work in a regulated pharmaceutical environment, ensuring that all work meets GMP, GxP, and applicable ISO standards.

Role Summary

The Master Planner develops and manages the site's 45-day production plan to optimize equipment, labor, materials, and capacity while ensuring schedules are realistic, executable, and aligned with customer commitments.

This role coordinates across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Analytical Services, Manufacturing, Project Management, and Customer Program Teams to support on-time delivery, resource utilization, and GMP-compliant operations.

Essential Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Own and maintain the rolling 45-day production schedule, translating customer demand, labor availability, equipment constraints, facility capacity, and manufacturing priorities into an executable plan that maximizes throughput and on-time delivery.

• Continuously evaluate schedule risks, laboratory and quality bottlenecks, and release constraints; coordinate mitigation plans and schedule adjustments to keep batch release commitments and customer delivery dates on track.

• Coordinate with QC, QA, Analytical Services, and Manufacturing to incorporate raw material sampling and release, in-process and finished product testing, batch record review, and final product disposition into the production plan.

• Monitor for laboratory and quality bottlenecks and coordinate schedule adjustments and cross-functional alignment to keep final product disposition, batch release commitments, and customer delivery dates on track.

• Lead weekly Ready-to-Execute (RTE) meeting, measuring project readiness in the short-term horizon.

• Act as the primary planning liaison between Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Project Management, and Customer Program teams.

• Communicate production priorities, schedule changes, and capacity risks to site leadership.

• Support new product introductions, technical transfers, scale-up activities, and commercial launches through integrated planning.

• Facilitate schedule review meetings to ensure alignment across departments.

Capacity & Resource Planning

• Collaborate with Operations to develop finite production plans based on actual labor, equipment, and facility availability, while identifying resource constraints that may impact production commitments.

• Maintain equipment scheduling updates and monitor equipment utilization to optimize manufacturing capacity and support finite production planning.

• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) through schedule visibility, capacity analysis, and participation in production planning and capacity review meetings.

Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor schedule adherence, capacity utilization, labor efficiency, throughput, and on-time delivery metrics.

• Analyze production data and planning performance indicators to improve planning accuracy.

• Lead initiatives to improve planning systems, processes, and workflow efficiency.

• Support internal and external audits by providing planning records and scheduling documentation.

• Assist with implementation and continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory control, warehouse operations, and ERP functionality and processes.

• Act as the ERP system subject matter expert for planning-related data accuracy, troubleshooting, escalation, and GMP-compliant documentation practices.

• Adhere to all EHS and cGMP site Requirements.

• Complete all required training on time

Success Measures

• Production schedule adherence and On-time customer delivery performance

• Labor and equipment utilization

• Capacity plan accuracy

• Reduction of schedule disruptions and bottlenecks

• Successful support of GMP inspections and customer audits

• This position is responsible for ensuring that customer demand, manufacturing operations, analytical testing, quality review, and final product release activities are synchronized into a single executable production plan that drives operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Position Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of production, master planning, or supply chain planning experience in a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or CDMO manufacturing environment, including scheduling, capacity planning, ERP or MRP system use, and coordination of production, quality testing, and batch release activities.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, GMP requirements, capacity planning, labor planning, production scheduling, inventory management, and translating customer demand into executable production plans.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced CDMO environment while maintaining schedule accuracy and compliance.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Basic AI skills required to support improvement opportunities

Physical Requirements:

• Individual may be required to sit, stand, walk regularly and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.

• Specific vision requirements include reading of written documents and use of computer monitor screen frequently.

Work Environment/Safety Conditions:

• Fast-paced, Performance driven, Customer focused

• Collaborative and inclusive

• Individuals primary workstation is located in the office area where the noise level is low.

• Must wear safety glasses, in addition to other specified PPE, in all designated areas.

• Must follow any applicable site safety requirements

Successful candidates must demonstrate behaviors aligned with Ardena's WE CARE values: We Lead with Innovation, Enhance the Lives of Patients, Communicative, Accountability, Reliable, Excellent

What Ardena Offers

Ardena is a science-driven and people-focused employer. Working at Ardena means contributing to pharmaceutical projects that support the availability, safety, and quality of medicines for patients worldwide.

Ardena offers an international working environment where employees are encouraged to develop their expertise, take ownership, and grow their careers across functions and locations.

Benefits and perks at Ardena include:
• Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)
• Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)
• International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites
• Access to professional development and training programs
• Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health
• A values-driven culture guided by Ardena's CARE principles: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable, and Excellent

Salary Range: $72,000 - $85,000 BOE

How to Apply

Ready to advance your career in pharmaceutical development? Apply now through the Ardena Careers website at careers.ardena.com.