We’re ramping a new line in Q2 and I need to decide between a full-time junior planner or a 6‑month contractor to stabilize MRP and supplier commits; with a 13‑week S&OE cadence in SAP IBP and tight resin allocation, I’m modeling capacity coverage and expedite risk — how are you staffing this phase to keep OTIF up without bloating fixed cost? Budget covers about 0.8 FTE, but the ramp adds 120 SKUs and two new suppliers.
I faced a similar choice recently and found that bringing on a contractor offered more flexibility without the long-term commitment. Plus, their fresh perspective can really help streamline processes. Have you considered how quickly you’d need to onboard either option?
You might find that hiring a junior planner can provide continuity and thorough understanding of the business processes, especially with SAP IBP in play… However, if you’re really tight on budget, a contractor can be less risky in the short term. Have you considered the potential for knowledge transfer from a contractor if they come in for just those six months?