Senior Specialist, Site Materials Planner

In AstraZeneca's Cell Therapy division, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing, modifying, and even curing some of the world's most complex diseases. We have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. This role is part of the Cell Therapy Site Supply Chain team located in Santa Monica (SM) and Tarzana (TZN), CA, tasked with supporting Clinical operations and cell therapy production across multiple sites.

As a Site Materials Planner, you will be responsible for all elements of planning for assigned cell therapy raw materials used in manufacturing, QC, and development across Tarzana and Santa Monica Manufacturing sites. You will manage master data, execute material plans , and manage purchase orders to support on-time delivery to patients. You will report to the Director, Site Supply Chain of SM/TZN sites. This position is based in CA (Santa Monica or Tarzana) with at least three days per week onsite.

You Will

• Oversee planning for assigned materials that support cell therapy manufacturing, QC and development raw materials required at the SM and TZN sites using SAP.
• Own healthy donor apheresis (process starting material) planning and procurement to support allogeneic cell therapy manufacturing.
• Monitor and balance inventory levels across the SM and TZN sites per demand and inventory policy, managing risk to ensure availability for development without excess and expiration of materials.
• Work with Global Planning team and manufacturing sites to adjust material supply plans based on local storage and resource constraints.
• Manage purchase orders to support production schedules ensuring no interruptions to development, clinical and commercial supply.
• Work with Logistics, Manufacturing, Procurement, Suppliers, and Quality to ensure materials are ready for use.
• Initiate relevant change controls and deviations, coordinate completion of tasks, and confirm closure of the process.
• Innovate and lead regarding cost saving and efficiency.
• Align with safety, quality, and environmental procedures.
• Help reconcile variances between purchase orders, invoices, shipments, and packing slips.
• Lead cross-functional team meetings to monitor and discuss site Metrics related to materials such as material ordering, material receipts/issuance, inventory stock levels on hand, material use and material transfers between sites.
• Help Coordinate material returns and refund activities.
• Analyze expected stock loss reports to ensure product losses are minimized due to expiration, slow-moving, excess.
• Coordinate with Engineering, QA, Manufacturing and Finance phase in/phase out of raw materials.
• Participate in S&OP/S&OE and communicate current/potential supply performance problems (capacity imbalance, non-compliant material, material shortage, supplier delays).
  
  

You Have

• Knowledgeable of cGMP manufacturing and regulatory/compliance requirements for cell therapy and pharmaceutical industry
• Experience using SAP for Material Planning, Purchase Orders and Inventory Management – also experience with advanced planning tool desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; experience with advanced functions and data analysis.
• To develop collaboration with our teams and external suppliers.
• Understanding of business possible effects of decisions.
• General knowledge of chemicals, reagents, and other MRO materials common to the life sciences industry.
• ERP (Prefer SAP) implementation and scaling experience a plus
• Ability to see detail in context to overall processes
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience is required; an undergraduate degree is preferred but not required.
• Direct experience Supply Chain planning, material requirements planning and purchasing, production scheduling for manufacturing - in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry or cell therapy preferred
• Professional certifications like CPIM or ASCM (APICS) are a plus
  
  

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $82,463.20 to $103,079.00. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles).

Our Benefits

Benefits offered include:

• A qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• Paid vacation, holidays, and paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
  
  

#celltherapy

Date Posted

18-Aug-2025

Closing Date

29-Sep-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.