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Manager, Inventory Planning

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Manufacturing

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about coaching a work order coordinator.

What they are checking: The posting names overseeing work order coordinators with guidance, coaching and direction.

What would you do

How do you run an MPS lock meeting when departments want different things?

What they are checking: The posting names managing the weekly MPS lock discussion between cross-functional plant groups.

The schedule is going to slip. How and when do you tell people?

What they are checking: The posting names communicating schedule changes and risk proactively and engaging decision makers.

How do you balance an inventory target against service level?

What they are checking: The posting names supporting inventory targets, and the two goals pull against each other.

About the work

Tell me about owning a master production schedule.

What they are checking: The posting names owning coordination of the master production plan within the site.

How do you build a weekly production plan from demand, lead times and inventory targets?

What they are checking: The posting names all of those factors going into the weekly and monthly plan.

An unplanned order arrives. Walk me through giving a delivery commitment.

What they are checking: The posting names handling unplanned orders and committing dates by checking material availability.

How do you analyze actuals against plan and explain a variance?

What they are checking: The posting names analyzing actuals versus plan and working with stakeholders on variance drivers.

How do you keep a planning system's parameters accurate over time?

What they are checking: The posting names maintaining the effectiveness of the INFOR planning system.

What does a new product introduction do to a plant's load?

What they are checking: The posting names evaluating the impact of new products on plant load and setting NPI direction.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Inventory Planning Manager owns the coordination of the master production plan within the manufacturing site and all associated follow- on activities. Drives proper production scheduling adherence ensuring an optimized plan supporting ensuring efficiency and predictability. Enhances the capability of the site through optimizing planning parameters to drive efficiencies while supporting inventories targets across our key supply chain. Serves as the main point of contact for all our partners in supply chain while action as a key site champion in driving the proper monthly Sales and Operations planning process along with supporting achievement of the AbbVie’s financial and strategic goals. Responsibilities • Manage the coordination/execution with the manufacturing department of the full window of firmed orders of the production schedule, supporting schedule execution and timely finished goods delivery. • Responsible in overseeing the site's work order coordinators/specialists supporting the production plan in providing guidance, coaching, and proper strategic direction. • Handle unplanned orders and provide delivery commitments by checking material availability, and maintaining constant communication with Corporate Planning, or directly with customers. • Communicate schedule changes/risk proactively with stakeholders and engage decision makers to enable right production decisions are made. • Lead the overall daily schedule review process focused on monitoring performance and following through on resulting actions with material management and cross functional partners. • Prepare the weekly / monthly production plan. Factors incorporated into this plan are dynamic, including an evaluation of known and projected demands, trends, manufacturing and finishing lead times, raw material and finishing supply lead times, inventory investment, and predetermined target levels. • Manage the weekly MPS lock discussion meeting between cross functional plant groups to ensure the best finite schedule set is attainable by all parties. • Drive the schedule reporting process to analyze Actuals vs. Plan/LBE, provide accurate and timely volume estimates for site financial reporting, and actively work with key stakeholders to understand drivers for variances. • Responsible for maintaining the effectiveness of the INFOR planning system for the material management department. • Set strategic direction for new NPI focused on process, right first time, and schedule adherence; Support the introduction of new products to the site. #LI-AL1 • Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Sciences or Engineering. MBA desirable. • Five (5) years of experience in the Materials Management field, with hands on experience in the following areas: Master Production Scheduling, Inventory Control, Production Activity Control, and Materials Requirement Planning. • The incumbent must have experience with computerized inventory control systems and hands-on experience in Excel, Word, Power Point, etc. • A high level of human relations skills to deal with all levels of management and professionals within the company, and interface and negotiate with external agencies. • Excellent problem solving and decision-making abilities. Excellent analytical/statistical skills (able to interpret & provide a broader context to converging information). • Broad business perspective (able to provide advice and alternatives in financial & non-financial matters). The position requires good analytical skills, and ability to make sound judgement, and business decisions. The individual must interpret and evaluate forecasts to establish production plans, evaluate demand vs. capacity constraints, and impact of new products on the plant load. • The position requires frequent analysis of product mix, service level, and product quality. The individual must be able to work on a multitask ever changing environment, with the ability to maintain flexibility in the overall planning to make Plant commitments and goals. • The nature of the role requires extensive interaction with vendors, customers, product development centers, partner organizations and planning centers. The problems that are encountered typically relate to business processes, planning, project execution and communication. Creativity, innovation, and decisiveness are necessary to resolve these issues and drive the business forward. • Requires total commitment to quality and maintaining a high standard of work during continuous periods of change. • Prioritizes their own and their teams work in line with business demands. • SAP required ​Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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