Buyer Planner

Location: Rogersville

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer Planner will coordinate with Operations to effectively manage the scheduled purchase of raw materials, complex materials, castings, tooling, and related requirements to support the manufacturing process. This position will support the plant with the purchase of outside processing services, hardware, and MRO items.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials. Communicate any supply problems, which may pose a risk or impact to business operations.
  • Analyze material demand and coordinate targeted material flow.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to align forecasts, production schedules, and raw material requirements while managing demand variability.
  • Actively participate in driving improvement projects aligned towards corporate initiatives.
  • Prepare purchase orders in line with final negotiations with selected suppliers aligned with organizational goals.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders and suppliers in expediting process to ensure critical delivery of requirements.
  • Monitor and control inventory accuracy.
  • Define and manage safety stock, inventory policies, and material strategies to balance service levels, cost, and working capital.
  • Procure materials that support production requirements and new product launches while ensuring timely deliveries of the proper material.
  • Identify, assess, and actively manage raw material supply risks (lead times, single-source items, capacity constraints, geopolitical or weather exposure)
    • Monitor Supplier Capacity and Performance trends
  • Maintain accurate material master data and planning parameters to ensure reliable MRP outputs and execution.
• Actively participate in supporting supplier development initiatives. Develop new suppliers as required.
  • Coordinate with Quality Assurance to monitor and maintain supplier quality performance.
  • Discuss unacceptable or inferior quality materials with quality assurance departments and take corrective action.
  • Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, add value, aid business performance and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement - Identify and drive cost saving opportunities.
  • Research new suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment required.

Required Licenses

• APICS Certification is preferred (CPIM/CSCP).

• Lean Six Sigma Training is preferred.

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Skilled in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with ERP systems and working knowledge of using MRP.

• Ability to create and display information in table and chart format.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to complaints.

• Ability to effectively present information to top management.

• Ability to write, speak, and comprehend English.

Travel

• Occasional travel may be required.

COMPETENCIES

• - Synthesizes complex or diverse information;
Collects and researches data;
Uses intuition and experience to complement data;
Designs workflows and procedures;
Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

• - Is consistently at work and on time;
Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

• - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations;
Listens and gets clarification;
Responds well to questions;
Demonstrates group presentation skills;
Participates in meetings;
Communicates calmly and effectively in stressful situations;
Effectively applies active listening skills.

• - Works within approved budget;
Develops and implements cost saving measures;
Contributes to profits and revenue;
Conserves organizational resources.

• - Responds promptly to customer needs;
Responds to requests for service and assistance;
Meets commitments.

• - Follows instructions, responds to management direction;
Takes responsibility for own actions;
Keeps commitments;
Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals;
Comp…