Buyer​/Inventory Planner

Buyer/Inventory Planner

Liquid Robotics Supply Chain is seeking a Buyer and Inventory Planner to join us in the development of autonomous ocean robots. As part of our small but highly-motivated and fun team, you will participate in all aspects of the procurement and planning process that contributes to world-changing products. The successful candidate will bring procurement and planning experience with skills in balancing appropriate stock levels and forecasting.

This position requires a highly motivated individual with a self-starter attitude and the ability to work cross-functionally with suppliers, team members and internal customers. Strong communication skills and making sure LR’s Supply Chain processes stay compliant are a must. This hybrid position is based in Herndon, Virginia with the partial ability to work from home.

• Procure hardware components such as PCBA, machine parts and cables during the early product development phase and through production based on MRP (Material Requirement Planning) from ERP system
• Qualify suppliers based on technical capability, quality control, capacity, and manufacturing expertise and compliance. Maintain and update ASL (Approved Supplier List). Manage the PIA process (Proprietary Information Agreements)
• Collaborate with LR Contracts, Compliance and Boeing counterparts to assure LR’s continuous compliance
• Responsible for monitoring, expediting, tracking and reporting on all company and production Po’s and RMA’s.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with local and international vendors and contract manufacturer
• Manage incoming material ensuring proper disposition of received material and manage adequate inventory levels.
• Coordinate with the R&D team as they develop next generation products
• Source and order parts and assemblies to support development work and launch schedule.
• Own the transfer of new products from design to production.
• Drive lead time, safety stock and cost reduction in all projects
• Support Engineering change order (ECO) functions and ensure proper implementation and disposition of impacted materials
• Manage consigned builds, partially consigned builds, turnkey builds, and sometimes assist with kitting materials
• Responsible to help with wall to wall physical count and drive resolution for discrepancies to assure accurate inventory counts (above 95%)
• Create purchasing reports for management review. Lead the SOLR PO Process.
• Manage cut-in dates of new materials based on consumption of old materials
• Manage all invoices for credit card purchases and work closely with finance team monthly to resolve any open issues
• Support the quarterly PPV (Purchase Price Variant) process and assist Finance establish the correct standard cost
• Partner with BD (Business Development) on forecasting demand
• Maintain annual Supplier Scorecards and implement corrective action as required. Participate in NCR (Non-Conformance Report) meetings and open and manage NCR Jira Tickets as needed.
• Perform QMS (Quality Management System) tasks as assigned and create Work instructions and SOP’s.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in operations, supply chain management, or related field with some technical knowledge in machine parts and PCBA’s.
• Highly Analytical mindset
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, purchasing & vendor management in a manufacturing environment.
• Materials program management experience including defining, scheduling, tracking, communicating status, prioritizing
• Experience in electronics and machine parts purchasing
• Strong negotiation skills and experience with NPI (New Production Introduction) processes
• Excellent communication skills, planning skills, problem solving skills, attention to detail
• Experience in a lean startup environment is preferred
• Experience working with Jira, Arena PLM, Net Suite MRP is a plus
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Creative self-starter to recommend outside-the-box and innovative process improvements
• Experience with FAR and DFAR is a plus
• Must be able to self-manage and balance multiple efforts as assigned by the Head of Supply…