Sr. Production Planner – Semiconductor (NPI & Production)
Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Production Planner to join our team. This key role involves managing chip production through the full lifecycle—from New Product Introduction (NPI) through mass production to End-of-Life (EOL) management. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of semiconductor production processes and be able to effectively coordinate across internal teams and external partners, including OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) providers and foundries. In addition to production management, the Production Planner will be responsible for Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) optimization, customer communication, and Purchase Order (PO) management to ensure that production targets, timelines, and cost objectives are met. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders, such as Test Engineers, Product Engineers, Supply Chain, and Finance teams, as well as external partners and customers.
Key Responsibilities:
NPI (New Product Introduction): o Plan and manage production schedules for new product development to ensure timely delivery of prototype requirements. o Collaborate with internal teams, including program manager, test, and product engineering, to ensure smooth transitions from NPI to mass production. o Monitor and track all phases of the NPI process, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, timelines, and cost targets.
COGS Management & Optimization: o Track and manage COGS throughout the product lifecycle, from NPI to mass production and EOL. o Identify opportunities for cost reduction, including yield improvement, process optimization, and supplier negotiation, without compromising quality or delivery. o Analyze and report on cost variances, and propose corrective actions to keep production within budget.
Mass Production & Supply Chain Coordination: o Oversee and manage the production flow during mass production, working closely with foundries and OSAT partners to ensure production efficiency and capacity to meet customer needs. o Coordinate with vendors to ensure material and hardware availability and mitigate any potential production delays. o Track inventory levels, ensure timely deliveries, and manage forecast planning to meet both short-term and long-term production needs while controlling costs.
Cross-functional Collaboration: o Act as the central point of contact between the foundry, OSAT, and internal engineering teams, ensuring that production schedules, quality standards, target yields, technical requirements, and cost objectives are met. o Work closely with internal teams (Test Engineers, Product Engineers, and others) to resolve any production-related issues and ensure products meet specifications and quality standards.
Production & Yield Optimization: o Monitor production yields and collaborate with product engineers to troubleshoot any bottlenecks or issues in the production process. o Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions throughout the product lifecycle, with a specific focus on optimizing COGS. o Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
End-of-Life Management: o Oversee the transition of products to End-of-Life (EOL), ensuring that all aspects of production, inventory, and customer needs are addressed. o Coordinate last-time buys and ensure all EOL commitments are met, while effectively managing final COGS and financial targets.