Sr Buyer​/Planner

Senior Supply Chain Manager

Job-focused description for the Senior Supply Chain Manager role.

This position is a senior level professional with in-depth knowledge of own discipline and basic knowledge of related disciplines. Works independently with minimal guidance; procures materials and services needed to meet our customer demand, provides planning support for the assembly of our products, solves complex problems; may lead projects or steps within a broader project or have accountability for ongoing projects and objectives;

act as a resource for less experienced team members. Follows applicable policies and procedures; decisions are guided by policies, procedures and business plan; receives guidance and oversight from Supply Chain Team Leader.

• Analyze Demand Forecasts:
  Leverage historical data and market trends to predict material requirements and adjust purchasing strategies.
• Execute Material Requirements Planning (MRP):
  Continually refine MRP system parameters to ensure accurate signals for production and procurement.
• Perform Capacity Planning:
  Develop and maintain capacity plans for internal manufacturing and external subcontractors to meet business targets.
• Contribute to SIOP:
  Provide critical data on inventory health and supply trends during Sales and Operations Planning meetings.
• Manage Product Life Cycles:
  Align supply strategies with product stages, from New Product Introduction (NPI) to end-of-life (EOL) to prevent excess inventory.
• Execute Strategic Sourcing:
  Identify and qualify suppliers based on quality standards and total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Negotiate Terms and Agreements:
  Secure competitive pricing, favorable payment terms, and optimized lead times with key vendors.
• Manage Supplier Relationships:
  Cultivate strategic partnerships to ensure supply reliability and priority status during market shortages.
• Monitor Supplier Performance:
  Use scorecards and audits to hold vendors accountable to Quality and On-Time Delivery (OTD) metrics.
• Mitigate Supply Chain Risk:
  Identify vulnerabilities and implement contingency plans, such as dual-sourcing or safety stock buffers.
• Optimize Inventory Levels:
  Balance high customer service levels with the goal of increasing inventory turns while reducing carrying costs.
• Address Excess and Obsolete (E&O) Stock:
  Proactively identify slow-moving inventory and execute disposition strategies to maintain warehouse efficiency.
• Schedule Production Work Orders:
  Prioritize and release orders to the manufacturing team based on material availability and shipping dates.
• Resolve Procurement Discrepancies:
  Reconcile variances in pricing, quantities, or receiving documentation by collaborating with Finance and suppliers.
• Drive Continuous Improvement:
  Lead Lean / OpEx (Operational Excellence) initiatives to eliminate process waste and improve procurement workflows.
• Maintain Master Data:
  Audit and update Item Masters, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and lead times within the ERP system (Infor XA) to ensure data accuracy.
• Expedite/De-expedite Orders:
  Proactively pull in or push out deliveries in response to real-time changes in production demand.
• Track KPI Performance:
  Monitor and report on metrics such as Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH), stockout rates, and Purchase Price Variance (PPV).
• Facilitate
  
  Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Serve as the primary bridge between Engineering, Quality, and Sales to ensure material alignment with technical specs.
• Communicate Proactive Status Updates:
  Provide stakeholders with early warnings regarding supply roadblocks and offer actionable solutions.

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent level of experience
• 5+ years' experience
• Ability creating and implementing purchasing strategies to support productivity and working capital objectives for assigned product category.
• APICS or equivalent certification
• Knowledge of ERP and Quality Systems
• Lean Six Sigma or equivalent discipline

• 10+ years' experience
• Certifications in one of the following: CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) CSCMP (Certified Supply Chain Management Professional), CPIM (Certified Production and Inventory Management)
• XA/Paperless ERP systems
• EPDM experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites

• Office Environment:
  Work will be in an office environment, however, occasional work in a production work environment as needed.
• Field Support:
  Occasionally, the role may require on-site visits to provide support to customers.

This is a regular, full-time position with the understanding that a regular work week will occasionally require extended days and hours as needed to meet business needs.

Travel:
While primarily an onsite role, travel (sometimes up to 10%) to visit supplier sites, training, or other company branches, may involve operating a motor vehicle or extended transit.

Physical Demands:

Office & Production Environment The physical…