Global Production Transfer Planner

Job description

Life Unlimited.

At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

Role Overview:

The Production Transfer Planner is responsible for leading, planning, and maintaining execution of SKU transfers between global manufacturing site and distribution centers.

This role ensures that supply continuity, capacity utilization, and service commitments are maintained during transitions.

The position requires deep coordination with Operations, Transportation, Warehouse, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, IT teams to guarantee accurate data set up, balanced production quotas, and timely system readiness.

The planner also drives network lane creation and maintenance to support new product flows while minimizing disruption, excess & obsolescence (E&O) and risk exposure.

For assigned business segment(s) of the (BU) portfolio, across relevant manufacturing sites, GDCs (Global Distribution Centres) and LDCs (Local Distribution Centres) key metrics and primary deliverables for the role include:

• Optimisation of inventory health
• High level of service (OTIF/LIFR)
• Identification of short to long term S&OE & IBP/SIOP risks and opportunities
• Optimizing the supply network and inventory
• Improvement in cost to serve (E&O, W&D and sourcing cost).
  
  

These metrics will be achieved without compromising the safety of employees or property, negatively affecting the quality of our products and while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

The Global Production Transfer Planner is responsible for executing processes critical to achieving the above metrics.

They are also responsible for suggesting and driving continuous improvements in processes, tools, and performance.

What will you be doing?

• Production Transfer Execution: Plan, coordinate, and execute production transfers across global sites, ensuring service levels and inventory targets are maintained.
  
  
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Distribution Centers, and Procurement to align on timelines, risk mitigation, and validation requirements.
  
  
• SKU Lifecycle Management: Own setup, activation, and retirement of SKUs tied to transfers, and ensuring accuracy across all S+N systems.
  
  
• Quota Balancing: Working with Operations, optimize and allocate production volume across sites during and after transfers to maintain efficient capacity utilization.
  
  
• System Readiness: Lead master data setup, sourcing rules, and lane network creation/maintenance in SAP and Kinaxis Maestro to support new supply flows.
  
  
• Risk & E&O Management: Monitor and mitigate excess and obsolescence risk during ramp-down/ramp-up periods.
  
  
• Performance Tracking: Define and report KPIs such as transfer timeline adherence, service performance, inventory health, and transition cost impact.
  
  
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as Primary supply chain representative in transfer project meetings
• Also responsible to communicate and provide accurate and timely updates ensuring clear communication regarding supply constraints and other critical supply chain information such as planning parameters, forecasts and sourcing.
  
  Identify and escalate risks and opportunities to S&OE and SIOP/IBP.
  
  
• Act as liaison for marketing and regional teams' opportunities, to coordinate feedback and create tangible plans, where applicable.
  
  
• Review and provide recommendations during the safety and target stocks review process.
  
  
• To apply high standards of occupational Health & Safety in the workplace to comply with company policy and procedures.
  
  
• Ensure compliance to cGMP, cGDP, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, US FDA 21 CFR Part 820 and any other applicable quality standards or regulations concerning Medicinal Products and Medical Devices
• Performs other duties as required.
  
  

What will you need to be successful?

• Education: Degree educated preferred, or relevant supply chain qualification or experience
• Licenses/ Certifications: ASCM CPIM or CSCP or Kinaxis Maestro preferred.
  
  
• Experience: at least 3 years in a similar supply planning role.
  
  
• Fluent in English

Capability:

• Strong knowledge of production transfer planning and global supply chain network optimization
• Expertise in SAP and Kinaxis Maestro for master data , sourcing, and lane setup
• Analytical skills to take data sets and translate to data insights.
  
  
• Ability to make and articulate fact-based positions and persuade others to take a particular course of action based on relevant facts and assumptions.
  
  
• Ability to effectively present and communicate information and accurately respond to questions from stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  
  
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks and maintain focus amidst interruptions.
  
  
• Ability to facilitate and communicate with impact and ability to influence in a global matrix environment across geographies and functions.
  
  
• Resiliency to persevere when faced with obstacles and challenges.
  
  
• Curiosity to learn and grow in role and beyond.
  
  

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.

Travel Requirements: <10%

You.

Unlimited.

We believe in crafting the greatest good for society.

Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

• Inclusion+Belonging- Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving.
  
  Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website.
  
  
• Your Future: Generous annual bonus and pension Schemes, Save As You Earn share options.
  
  
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Vacation and Time Off, Paid Holidays and Paid Volunteering Hours, so we can give back to our communities
• Your Wellbeing: Private Health and Dental plans, Healthcare Cash Plans, Income Protection, Life Assurance and much more.
  
  
• Flexibility : Hybrid Working Model (For most professional roles).
  
  
• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customised, Mentorship

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Required Skill Profession

Other General