Associate Director, Master Production Planner

Job Description

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come. As an Associate Director, Master Production Planner at Gilead you are responsible for translating global supply strategies into an integrated, feasible, and optimized master production schedule (MPS) across the internal and external manufacturing network.

This role acts as the primary conduit between Global Network Planning and Site Supply Chain Planning , ensuring that long‑range strategies and demand signals convert into executable and stable production plans.

The role governs planning outside and inside the 4‑month planning time fence , driving proactive risk mitigation in the 6–24‑month horizon and protecting execution stability within the frozen window.

Responsibilities

Global‑to‑Site Planning Integration

• Translate global demand signals, inventory policies, and supply network strategies into feasible, detailed site‑level production schedules.
• Lead integration between Global Network Planning and Site Planning teams to ensure alignment on feasibility, constraints, and assumptions.
• Reconcile the Global Supply Plan (GSP) with Site Rough‑Cut Capacity Plans (RCCP), resolving discrepancies prior to execution.

Master Production Scheduling (MPS) Leadership

• Own and govern the 24‑month master production schedule for DS, DP, and FG across internal and external manufacturing nodes.
• Build batch sequences, production cycles, campaign structures, and capacity allocations.
• Ensure MPS stability within the 4‑month frozen window while enabling appropriate agility outside it.
• Lead scenario modeling and recommend adjustments in response to supply risks, capacity shifts, regulatory changes, and demand variability.

Planning Outside the 4‑Month Time Fence (Owning the 6–24‑Month Horizon)

The Associate Director governs all planning activities beyond the 4‑month frozen/planning time fence , ensuring feasibility and alignment well ahead of execution.

Responsibilities include:

• Owning the 6–24‑month unconstrained planning horizon , translating global strategies into forward‑looking production plans.
• Conducting advanced long‑range capacity modeling to identify constraints, maintenance windows, QC load, labor availability, and network balancing needs.
• Running structured scenario analyses for launch acceleration, demand shifts, supply disruptions, regulatory changes, and market expansions.
• Driving early alignment between Global Network Planners and Site Planners to validate assumptions and address issues before the frozen zone.
• Partnering with Procurement and Materials teams to confirm long‑lead material readiness and supplier feasibility.
• Validating feasibility for lifecycle initiatives such as tech transfers, new SKUs, artwork/label updates, and new market entries.
• Leading long‑range planning forums with Global Planning, Site Planning, External Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Technical Operations.
• Identifying long‑range risks and establishing mitigation strategies ahead of the 4‑month window.

Planning Time Fence Governance (4‑Month Frozen Window)

• Maintain governance for all plan changes within the 4‑month frozen window.
• Ensure major planning decisions (campaign timing, capacity adjustments, material commitments) are resolved before entering the frozen horizon.
• Protect execution stability by minimizing late changes and deviations within the fixed window.
• Manage any required exceptions through established supply governance forums.

Internal Manufacturing & Network Coordination

• Serve as the central planning interface to internal manufacturing sites , ensuring alignment between global supply strategies and site‑level operational plans.
• Partner closely with internal Site Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, and Master Scheduling teams to confirm production feasibility, capacity availability, and alignment with maintenance, labor, and equipment constraints.
• Coordinate with internal network governance to ensure synchronized DS, DP, and FG flows across internal nodes.
• Monitor schedule adherence at internal sites, capturing deviations, understanding drivers, and ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Provide internal manufacturing sites with 6–24‑month long‑range visibility to support staffing plans, capital/asset planning, material readiness, and QA/QC workload forecasting.

External Manufacturing & Network Coordination

• Serve as the central planning interface to the Global External Manufacturing (GEM) organization , ensuring aligned communication of production needs, capacity requirements, and schedule assumptions.
• Partner with GEM to validate slot reservations, campaign timing, yield expectations, testing sequences, and release timelines across the external network.
• Collaborate with GEM to maintain synchronized production calendars and ensure visibility across DS, DP, and FG flows.
• Monitor schedule adherence and network performance through GEM, supporting proactive escalation and issue resolution.
• Provide GEM with 6–24‑month long‑range visibility to enable proactive contracting, supplier readiness, and risk mitigation.

Inventory, Materials, and Lifecycle Integration

• Align MPS with material availability, safety stock policies, and procurement strategies.
• Support lifecycle readiness including artwork changes, regulatory updates, tech transfers, and market expansions.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support service targets while minimizing E&O exposure and working capital.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report KPIs including:
  • MPS attainment
  • Schedule adherence across internal and external nodes
  • Capacity utilization
  • Supply reliability / OTIF
  • Inventory health
• Ensure adherence to Plan Stability and Performance‑to‑Plan metrics, and manage any exceptions diligently through established governance processes.
• Partner with Digital/IT teams to improve planning tool capabilities (SAP, IBP, OMP, Kinaxis) and data quality.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning discipline, cycle time reduction, and cross‑functional integration.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field with 10+ years of relevant experience OR
• Masters degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience OR
• PhD in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience
• Supply chain planning experience, with strong exposure to network and site planning required
• Deep understanding of GMP operations, internal and external manufacturing, batch‑based production, and global distribution flows.
• Proficiency with ERP and advanced planning systems (SAP, IBP, OMP, Kinaxis).
• Strong influencing skills across global, matrixed organizations.

Preferred

• APICS CPIM/CSCP certification or MBA (advanced degree)
• Experience with commercial biologics or sterile injectables.
• Experience with S&OP/S&OE processes and supply governance frameworks.

Key Capabilities

• Strong ability to translate strategy into executable plans.
• Excellent communication, alignment, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly analytical with advanced scenario planning capability.
• Effective at navigating complex networks and competing priorities.
• Calm, structured, and decisive during supply escalations.

People Leader Accountabilities:

• Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
• Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.
• Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.