Senior Supply Chain Planner
Guardant Health
Summary
The Senior Planner owns supply chain planning for assigned product lines in a fast-scaling biotech environment. This role requires an experienced, independent planner who drives forecast accuracy, manages material requirements end-to-end, and leads continuous improvement in planning, scrap reduction, and product launch execution. The Senior Planner will work across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to ensure material availability, optimize inventory, and drive process improvements.
Job description
Planning, Forecasting & Requirements Management
- Own MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) for assigned product lines and drive forecast accuracy improvement (target 85%+)
- Identify and escalate forecast variance issues; investigate and propose corrective actions and root cause solutions
- Proactively forecast material shortages and supply chain risks 6-8 weeks in advance; maintain forward-looking shortage pipeline with mitigation plans
- Create and manage material purchasing timelines aligned to manufacturing schedules and site/lab replenishment requirements
End-of-Life Management & Scrap Reduction
- Lead end-of-life planning for obsolete or discontinued products; identify and liquidate excess inventory to minimize scrap
- Analyze scrap drivers (quality, waste, damaged goods, expiration) and propose process or sourcing improvements to reduce scrap rates
- Coordinate disposal of obsolete or non-conforming material; document financial impact and lessons learned
Product Launches & Manufacturing Support
- Support manufacturing readiness for new product launches; validate BOMs, coordinate material availability, and create launch work orders plans
- Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, and Warehouse on material staging, validation, and fulfillment readiness
- Ensure material accuracy and traceability through SOP compliance; escalate supply chain blockers that could delay launches
Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
- Own KPIs for product lines (forecast accuracy, months of supply, inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, scrap rate) and create dashboards to drive visibility
- Identify planning process inefficiencies; document SOPs, decision criteria, and lessons learned from shortages and scrap events
- Propose and implement system improvements (Oracle, APEX, MRP tools) to automate planning, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy
- Lead process improvements that balance inventory security vs. carrying cost; target cost savings through optimization
Cross-Functional Coordination & Problem-Solving
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Warehouse, and Finance on planning issues, product changes, and supply chain risks
- Investigate root causes of planning failures (stockouts, scrap, forecast misses); make decisions within authority and escalate appropriately
- Communicate planning status, risks, and recommendations clearly to leadership and stakeholders
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
- C.P.M. and/or C.P.I.M. preferred but not required
- 5-8 years in supply chain planning, operations, or material management
- Demonstrated experience in end-of-life management, scrap reduction, or product lifecycle management
- Track record leading successful product launches or new product introductions
- Experience with MRP systems (Oracle, SAP, or equivalent) and manufacturing or biotech environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently without constant supervision
- Excel proficiency (data analysis, forecasting, reporting); familiarity with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI) preferred
- Clear written and verbal communication; ability to influence across functions
- Metrics-driven mindset; comfortable with ambiguity, rapid growth, and regulated environments (GMP/GDP)
- Understanding of MRP/MPS logic, bill of materials, work orders, and inventory management principles
- Basic cost accounting and inventory valuation; knowledge of compliance and traceability in regulated environments
Benefits
- Hybrid Work Model
- 401(k) benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Bonus/Equity eligible
Company overview
Guardant Health, Inc. is a leading precision oncology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, focused on transforming cancer care through advanced blood and tissue testing technologies. Founded in 2012 by Helmy Eltoukhy and AmirAli Talasaz, who serve as co-CEOs, the company specializes in liquid biopsy tests that detect cancer from circulating tumor DNA in blood samples. Guardant Health's flagship product, Guardant360, was the first comprehensive liquid biopsy test approved by the FDA for tumor mutation profiling and companion diagnostics in non-small cell lung cancer. The company has expanded its portfolio to include Guardant Reveal for residual disease monitoring, Guardant360 TissueNext tissue testing, and Shield, the first FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer screening. Guardant Health operates globally with approximately 1,999 employees and generates revenue from precision oncology testing services for clinical and biopharmaceutical customers, as well as development services and technology licensing. The company's innovative approach enables earlier cancer detection, treatment selection, and monitoring, helping to improve patient outcomes across all stages of cancer care.