Associate Production Scheduler
About the role
At Vericel Corporation, we are pioneers in advanced cell therapies for sports medicine and severe burn care, transforming patient lives through cutting-edge regenerative medicine. Our commitment to innovation, patient-centered focus, and scientific excellence drives us to develop groundbreaking treatments including MACI (knee cartilage repair), Epicel and Nexobrid (burn care). The Associate Production Scheduler supports the development and execution of daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules across the Cambridge and Burlington sites. The role independently prepares, finalizes, and communicates the next-day schedule for assigned product lines and operational activities, while partnering with the Production Scheduling Supervisor and other scheduling team members on weekly and monthly plans. The Scheduler analyzes demand, capacity, resource availability, equipment, material and cellular inventory, quality requirements, and competing priorities; applies judgment to address routine scheduling issues; and recommends options when constraints or changes may affect the manufacturing plan. The Production Scheduling Supervisor retains overall ownership of the scheduling process, longer-range planning, governance, and decisions outside the Associate Scheduler's defined authority.
Responsibilities
- Independently prepare, finalize, and communicate the next-day production schedule for assigned product lines and operational activities using OpCenter APS (formerly Preactor), consistent with approved production plans and established scheduling parameters.
- Partner with the Production Scheduling Supervisor and other scheduling team members to develop and maintain weekly and monthly production plans across the Cambridge and Burlington sites.
- Analyze customer orders, demand priorities, available capacity and resources, equipment, Quality Control and Quality Assurance readiness, materials, cellular inventory, and cross-functional dependencies to support effective scheduling decisions.
- Apply independent judgment within established parameters to resolve routine scheduling conflicts, evaluate alternatives, propose schedule adjustments, and implement approved changes; escalate issues requiring cross-functional prioritization or decisions beyond the role's authority.
- Support the development and maintenance of capacity and resource-utilization models, perform scenario analyses, and provide data-supported findings and recommendations to the Production Scheduling Supervisor and operational stakeholders.
- Monitor schedule execution and assess the effects of deviations, downtime, shortages, or other changes; recommend recovery options and schedule updates to help protect the manufacturing plan.
- Coordinate daily schedule alignment with Manufacturing, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Materials Management, and other stakeholders; communicate schedule changes, tradeoffs, and operational impacts and obtain the inputs needed for execution.
- Recommend improvements to scheduling processes, OpCenter APS, and connected applications, and participate in defining requirements, testing enhancements, and developing useful reports and metrics.
- Support assigned scheduling projects, operational initiatives, and sales-order activities using ERP, scheduling, and CRM systems, ensuring accurate data and timely completion.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, life sciences, or a related field with 1–2 years of relevant experience; or an associate degree or biotechnology certificate with 2–3 years of relevant experience; or a high school diploma/GED with 4–5 years of relevant experience. Experience in a cGMP biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is strongly preferred. Experience using ERP, MES, CRM, production-planning, or scheduling systems. Microsoft Dynamics 365, MFG/Pro, SAP, OpCenter Execution Pharma, or OpCenter APS is preferred. Excellent communication skills; written and verbal. Familiarity with Microsoft Office.
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with electronic scheduling in an EBR-based environment. Autologous cell therapies experience. Experience with materials planning in a complex manufacturing environment.
Working Conditions
This role will be based in our Burlington office, with requirements to travel up to one day a week to the Cambridge facility to work directly with stakeholders. Rotating holiday coverage.