Job Description

The Planning & Scheduling Specialist is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing production plans in an electronics manufacturing and assembly environment. This role ensures efficient utilization of production capacity, timely material availability, and adherence to customer delivery commitments. The specialist collaborates closely with production, engineering, purchasing, and quality teams to align demand, capacity, and resources while driving schedule stability and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop detailed production schedules based on demand forecasts, customer orders, material availability, and capacity constraints.
• Maintain and update the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and shop floor schedules.
• Balance workloads across SMT, assembly, testing, and final packaging operations.
• Prioritize jobs based on customer urgency, expedite requests, and operational priorities.

1. Material & Supply Coordination

• Collaborate with purchasing and material planning teams to ensure component availability.
• Identify material shortages and coordinate mitigation plans (alternate parts, pull-ins, substitutions).
• Align material readiness with production starts to prevent line downtime.

1. Capacity Management

• Analyze equipment and labor capacity for SMT lines, assembly stations, and test areas.
• Recommend short-term and long-term capacity adjustments (overtime, shift planning, load leveling).
• Maintain cycle-time and throughput data to improve scheduling accuracy.

1. Monitoring & Control

• Track work order progress and identify risks to delivery commitments.
• Coordinate real-time schedule adjustments due to unexpected issues (machine downtime, quality holds, material delays).
• Provide daily/weekly reports on schedule adherence, WIP status, and constraint areas.

1. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with engineering on new product introductions (NPI) to integrate builds into the production schedule.
• Communicate schedule changes to stakeholders including production supervisors, customer service, and management.
• Participate in daily production meetings and support problem resolution.

1. Continuous Improvement

• Analyze bottlenecks, cycle times, and workflow inefficiencies in electronics assembly operations.
• Implement planning best practices such as pull systems, line balancing, and WIP control.
• Support Lean/Kaizen projects to improve flow, reduce changeover time, and increase capacity stability.

1. Inventory Control

• Inventory accuracy and cycle count management
• Inventory reconciliation and discrepancy resolution
• Material transactions and inventory adjustments
• Warehouse inventory optimization and stock level management
• FIFO/FEFO compliance where applicable
• Inventory KPI reporting and continuous improvement
• Shipping & Receiving
• Incoming material receiving and inspection coordination
• Outbound shipment planning and customer order fulfillment
• Domestic and international shipping documentation
• Coordination with carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers
• Packing, labeling, export compliance, and shipment tracking
• Return Material Authorization (RMA) receiving and disposition support
• Material Management
• Material planning and replenishment
• Warehouse operations and material flow
• Material staging for production
• Shortage management and material availability
• Supplier coordination for delivery performance
• Obsolete and excess inventory management
• ERP Transactions
• Execute and maintain ERP transactions for receiving, issuing, transfers, work orders, shipping, and inventory adjustments
• Maintain accurate inventory records and material traceability
• Process production order transactions and inventory movements
• Support MRP, inventory planning, and material master data integrity
• Generate inventory, shipping, and operational reports
• Ensure ERP transaction accuracy to support financial and operational compliance

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Understanding of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, or similar).

Technical Skills

• Understanding of SMT processes, assembly flow, test operations, and manufacturing constraints.
• Basic understanding in Excel and data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of BOM structures, ECO processes, and build packages.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and schedule stability.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production Schedule Adherence (PSA).
• On-Time Delivery (OTD).
• Material readiness / shortage rate.
• Line utilization and load balance.
• WIP levels and cycle time performance.
• NPI schedule integration performance.

About Advantest

Advantest America Inc. is part of Advantest Corporation, the world’s largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. The company designs and manufactures cutting-edge testing solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of their products. Advantest is known for innovation, reliability, and a strong commitment to supporting its customers and employees.

Our Purpose & Values:
Mission: Improve lives through advanced technologies and customer-focused innovation.
Vision: Be the most trusted and valued test solution provider in the semiconductor value chain.

Core Values:
I- Innovation is our Lifeblood
N- Number One is Our Aspiration
T- Trust is our Foundation
E- Empowerment is Our Motivation
G- Global is our Reach
R- Respect is our Heart
I - Inclusion and Diversity is Our Commitment
T- Teamwork is our Approach
Y- Yes is Our Attitude

Why Join Us

At Advantest, innovation starts with people. We’re looking for curious, capable, and collaborative individuals ready to shape the future of semiconductor technology. You’ll join a global team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

We foster an integrity-centered culture, where honesty, inclusion, and respect are the foundation of everything we do.

Benefits Overview

* Global Bonus Program: Performance-based bonuses paid twice yearly.
* 401(k) Plan: Pre-tax retirement savings with company match.
* Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple plan options including HMO, PPO, and HSA.
* Income Protection: Life, disability, and accident insurance at no cost.
* Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care options.
* Employee Assistance Program: Free support for personal and work-related issues.
* Flexible Time Off: Accrual starts at hire, increases with service.
* Paid Holidays: 13 company holidays annually.

State of California Development

EEO Statement

EEO Statement
Advantest is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Advantest to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

The Advantest Way - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Advantest, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are continuing to build a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging through our DE&I programs & initiatives. We strive to have a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace to enable us to attract and retain candidates that feel a sense of purpose and empowerment. Our commitment to DE&I is unwavering and we are steadfast in our mission to continuously foster an environment of respect, trust and transparency. We value diversity and inclusion and believe employees of all backgrounds contribute to our ongoing success. At Advantest, we celebrate and support the needs of our employees regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), sex and sexual orientation. DE&I at Advantest is more than words to us, they are the Advantest Way.