Purchasing Planner

Brief Description

The Purchasing Planner position is a key role within our strategic plan for ACG Supply Chain. An enthusiastic self‑starter with a strong drive to improve existing processes and systems is highly desired. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to balance immediate and long‑term priorities are a necessity. The Purchasing Planner is comfortable negotiating and discussing financial information.

• Assist in negotiating initial pricing, price changes, and other terms and conditions with suppliers to obtain the best return at the most cost‑effective prices possible while retaining quality specifications.
• Assist in sourcing and onboarding new vendor relationships.
• Maintain working professional relationships with all assigned suppliers.
• Maintain strong working relationships and communications directly with co‑workers, suppliers, vendors, and contract manufacturers to confirm production/shipping schedules and monitor open purchase orders for all orders to ensure on‑time deliveries.
• Review suppliers and take correct action to improve performance of non‑performing suppliers.
• Communicate with vendors regarding requirements, capacities, and schedules.
• Maintain vendor files in software system(s) to ensure necessary paperwork is up to date for audits.
• Obtain samples, product information, pricing, and product specifications as needed.
• Effectively manage material/vendor returns.

• Plan and execute procurement of finished goods, raw materials, and/or packaging from manufacturers and suppliers using an MRP system, ensuring timely placement and delivery of components in line with production planning requirements.
• Manage inventory on a continuous basis and maintain proper levels to ensure product line objectives are met while optimizing inventory to meet custom demand, considering expiration dates, product quality, and warehousing space.
• Maintain purchase order status and shipment tracking information in an ERP system, including expediting and rescheduling open purchase orders to suit production planning requirements.
• Escalate and advise appropriate people/departments on schedule conflicts/status, material availability and potential problems relative to meeting demand and within company guidelines, and gain approval for additional cost.
• Assist and lead in sourcing and onboarding new ingredients and/or finished goods.
• Communicate and collaborate with Supply Chain regarding procurement information related to vendors, customers and capacity.

• Work may be part of a specialty team, as an individual or consultant contributor, or a combination of both.
• Develop policies and procedures as part of the procurement team.
• Review and resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Complete special projects and assignments as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Will work directly with all levels of the organization and all departments, from ownership to entry‑level employees.
• Should be comfortable working in a production environment and near production equipment.

• Excellent interpersonal skills – team player.
• Hard worker who is a self‑starter and proactive.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of production and processing.
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.

• 3+ years’ experience in purchasing, inventory control, materials planning preferred but not required.

• High School Diploma required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.