Job Description:
The Upstream Planner is responsible for planning and managing supply from suppliers through production readiness to ensure uninterrupted material availability for manufacturing. The role focuses on supplier capacity planning, production supply alignment, and optimal inventory of raw materials and components while balancing cost, service, and risk.
Key Responsibilities
Supply & Production Planning
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Develop and execute upstream supply plans for raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies in line with demand and production plans.
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Convert demand and production requirements into material requirements plans (MRP).
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Ensure supply readiness to support manufacturing schedules and customer commitments.
Supplier & Capacity Management
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Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to align capacities, lead times, and replenishment strategies.
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Monitor supplier performance and highlight risks related to capacity, lead time, or supply continuity.
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Support dual sourcing, alternate material, and risk mitigation strategies.
Inventory Management
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Manage inventory levels for raw materials and components, ensuring optimal safety stock and coverage.
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Identify and address risks of shortages, excess, and obsolescence.
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Drive inventory optimization initiatives across upstream nodes.
Execution & Coordination
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Work closely with manufacturing, procurement, quality, and logistics teams to ensure smooth execution of upstream plans.
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Manage material allocation and prioritization during supply constraints.
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Support new product introduction (NPI), phase-in, and phase-out planning from an upstream perspective.
Performance & Analytics
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Track and analyze KPIs such as material availability, plan adherence, inventory turns, supplier OTIF, and lead-time adherence.
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Conduct scenario analysis to assess impacts of demand changes, supplier disruptions, or capacity constraints.
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Prepare regular supply and inventory performance dashboards and reports.
Systems & Continuous Improvement
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Use ERP and APS systems (e.g., SAP MM/PP, SAP IBP/APO, Oracle, Kinaxis, O9) for supply and material planning.
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Drive continuous improvement in upstream planning accuracy, responsiveness, and end-to-end visibility.
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Actively contribute to S&OP / IBP cycles with clear supply and material risk assessments.
Key Interfaces
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Procurement / Strategic Sourcing
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Manufacturing & Production Planning
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Demand Planning
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Quality & Engineering
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Logistics & Warehouse Operations
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Finance
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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Material Availability / Line Fill Rate
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Production Plan Adherence
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Inventory Turns & DOS (Raw & WIP)
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Supplier OTIF & Lead Time Adherence
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Shortage & Expedite Reduction
(External) English Qualifications:
Qualifications & Experience
Education
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field
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MBA / Postgraduate degree in Supply Chain or Operations (preferred)
Experience
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7-20 years of experience in upstream planning, supply planning, or materials planning
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Exposure to complex supply networks, long lead-time components, or multi-supplier environments preferred
Skills & Competencies
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Strong understanding of upstream and manufacturing supply chains
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Hands-on experience with ERP / advanced planning systems (SAP preferred)
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scenario-planning skills
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Advanced Excel skills; Power BI or similar analytics tools are a plus
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Ability to manage uncertainty, constraints, and cross-functional dependencies
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Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Behavioral Expectations
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High sense of ownership and accountability
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Proactive risk identification and mitigation mindset
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Structured, data-driven, and execution-focused
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Collaborative and resilient under pressure
Let us learn about you! Apply today.
(External) English Company Boiler Plate:
Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?
When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.
IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.
We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.
Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!
€40 billion global revenue
+9% organic growth
150 000+ employees in 100+ countries
You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.
Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.
At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here
Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.
