Supply Chain Planner/Specialist
Job Description:
The Supply Chain Planning Lead will build structure, visibility, and execution discipline into supply planning to support a commercial launch and early growth phase. This hands-on role focuses on supply and production planning rather than sourcing or buying, and will create and implement an integrated supply and production plan that supports first-year commercial goals. The position will identify supply chain risks, define inventory and purchasing strategies, and establish foundational procedures in a regulated, QMS-driven environment. The role works closely with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Operations leadership, and external suppliers, with the opportunity to shape future processes and support organizational scale-up.
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement an integrated supply and production plan aligned with commercial launch targets and first-year commercial goals.
Build supply forecasts that meet both internal and external demand expectations.
Translate production plans into clear purchasing and inventory requirements, including material needs and timing of purchasing actions.
Define bill-time and capacity assumptions to support accurate and realistic planning.
Identify supply chain risks, including long lead-time materials, scrap and yield assumptions, and single-source or global sourcing risks.
Propose and execute risk mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply and support commercial readiness.
Assess current inventory management practices and recommend updates suitable for commercial scale.
Define inventory targets and material requirements, including what materials are needed and when purchasing activities must occur.
Support decisions related to receiving inspection needs and resource planning for incoming materials.
Partner closely with Purchasing, including an internal buyer, to execute the supply and production plan.
Engage directly with vendors as needed and coordinate with Supplier Quality activities to support reliable supply.
Collaborate closely with Manufacturing and Operations leadership to align plans with production capabilities and business objectives.
Help move the organization from reactive execution to proactive planning through structured processes and tools.
Establish and document supply chain procedures that align with QMS expectations and a regulated industry environment.
Within the first six months, deliver a documented supply and production plan that supports commercialization.
Develop a forecast model that supports both internal and external demand planning.
Identify and document key supply chain risks, along with clear mitigation recommendations.
Review and update the inventory management approach to ensure it is appropriate for commercialization and scale-up.
Essential Skills:
Experience in supply chain planning, production planning, or operations planning.
Demonstrated ability to take complex, ambiguous problems and build clear, actionable execution plans.
Hands-on mindset with comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving environment.
Experience working in a regulated industry, with medical device experience strongly preferred.
Familiarity with QMS-driven environments and the ability to align procedures with quality system requirements.
Proficiency in developing and delivering supply and production plans that support commercial objectives.
Capability to build supply forecasts that address both internal and external demand expectations.
Experience identifying supply chain risks and proposing practical mitigation strategies.
Experience reviewing inventory management practices and recommending updates for commercial scale.
Additional Skills & Qualifications:
Experience supporting a commercial launch or scale-up environment.
Working knowledge of Epicor ERP (preferred but not required).
Direct medical device industry experience.
Experience assessing sourcing and supplier risk across domestic and global suppliers.
Comfort working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, Purchasing, and Supplier Quality teams.
Interest in taking ownership of new processes and building foundational supply chain capabilities during a growth phase.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of White Bear Lake, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $52.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in White Bear Lake,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 4, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
