Analyst II production planning

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples’ lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.​

Reporting to the Operational Planning Manager, the primary roles of the Analyst II production planning are to plan, organize and coordinate the production schedule(s) and support the Operational Planning Manager by providing analytical support. This position is tasked with continually balancing and rebalancing resources (such as equipment, raw materials and staffing) in effectively deploying a production schedule that allows manufacturing to run as efficiently as possible while meeting customer expectations. The Operational Planning Analyst must keep constant contact with customer service, operations and inventory teams to understand any potential issues that appear (such as labor shortages, supply shortages and nonroutine asset maintenance), which may impact production schedules. The person in this role is an analytical thinker and a strong communicator with an eye for detail. His or her decisions have considerable impact on an organization’s costs and profits.  The analyst will be called upon for providing a wide range of analytical work as the needs arise, while being responsible for Regional Scheduling/Buying duties.

Responsibilities of the Role

Generate a Master Production Schedule that optimizes work streams for products through the allocation of production resources Coordinates expediting and lead-time reduction activities to achieve customer expectations and support industry best-in-class production lead time Monitors sales and operations planning (S&OP) to ensure alignment with the master production schedule, and makes adjustments to the master production schedule to accommodate near-term customer orders that differ from the agreed S&OP plan Leverages new product introduction plans from research and development and/or new product innovation teams in o master production schedules. Communicates the MPS to supply chain stakeholders, the plant and across partner supply networks Reports immediately unanticipated constraints and communicates remediation and recovery plans Support the derivation of order promise dates for booked orders by considering open sales orders, fixed production, inventory transfers and purchase orders Actively interacts with Supply Chain COE associates, manufacturing and EHS Teams to solve material issues to mitigate delays in production. Convert replenishment plan or replenishment order suggestions into purchase orders. Facilitate Weekly S&OE Meetings Monitors MRP list daily and adjusts POs/Requisitions as needed Generates various analyses to support the Supply Chain COE efforts towards improvement

Key Interfaces for the Role

• Operations
• Sales
• Supply Chain COE Pillars
• Finance & treasury
• Customer Service
• Credit

Skills and Knowledge Required for the Role

• Has an in-depth understanding of Advanced Scheduling and Planning systems (Ex: Arkieva, Aspentech, MIMI, other...)
• Knows how to navigate and extract data from an ERP System (SAP)
• Use creative solutions and resourcefulness to quickly solve any problems affecting productivity and process execution
• Ability to manage high stress periods (crisis management) during upset network conditions
• Ability to take ownership of work-product streams and seek advice from others, when needed, to make decisions
• Focuses on both short-term results and long-term goals.
• Takes accountability for decisions made in support of work-product development and process optimization.
• Broad knowledge and relationships across different parts of the organization: commercial, sales, marketing, product development, finance and manufacturing.
• Clearly communicates plans and schedules, followed by assumptions and solutions used to derive the information
• Adept in agile methodologies and capable of applying DevOps principles to improve the communication across the organization
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Strong analytical capabilities

Competencies

• Adjusts quickly and efficiently to changes in work goals
• Embraces innovation and creativity
• Demonstrates a sense of personal urgency and energy to achieving results
• Plans and prioritizes daily activities in a fast-evolving environment
• Has a strong customer focus mindset
• Is able to collaborate with multiple functions and different personalities
• Demonstrates ability to manage conflicts
• Demonstrates professionalism and does not let emotions “get in the way” of achieving goals
• Able to “translate” analytical data into Business language and identify potential actions needed

Academic Qualifications and Work Experience

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business management, engineering, or related field
• Requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in S&OP, supply chain, engineering, or operations in a business-to-business, asset intensive, or chemical manufacturing business
• APICS Certification preferred
• Demonstrated success in making informed decisions, identifying and resolving operational/planning/logistics issues in a complex manufacturing environment
• Experience with S&OP or S&OE processes
• Familiar with SAP, demand management, sales forecasting, inventory replenishment, and supply chain/asset optimization software tools
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and be able to develop accurate, detailed analyses under time pressure
• Excellent level of written and spoken English
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.