Buyer​/Planner

Position Overview

The Buyer Planner is responsible for all aspects of purchasing, including the selection, negotiation, and purchase of products and services to support the company’s manufacturing and administrative functions.

• Identify, evaluate and qualify suppliers of materials for production and non-production items as required for the commodities assigned by the Purchasing Manager, to include NDA (non-disclosure agreement) management and related onboarding activities.
• In accordance with purchasing strategy, develop long term relationships with suppliers to avoid material shortages while assuring best value, maintaining quality, and attaining the expected on-time delivery performance.
• Support continuous improvement efforts and strategic sourcing activities such as dual sourcing for risk mitigation and related internal initiatives.
• Coordinate with external vendors and internal departments on regular and expedited material and/or service needs.
• Procure material based on MRP driven requirements for commodity groups as assigned by the Purchasing Manager, including review and maintenance of related system parameters such as pricing, reorder points and MOQs.
• Manage purchase order life cycle (creation, maintenance, follow through) with assigned vendors.
• Manage the sub-contracting process, includes generation of work orders.
• Negotiate pricing and execute purchase orders and agreements with suppliers to support business objectives.
• Place orders from approved suppliers to include verifying pricing, quantities needed, product availability, required delivery dates and best shipment methods.
• Review sales order backlog regularly and take action to reduce past due orders.
• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports as required.
• Ensure payment terms and methods are maximized and enforced by both parties.
• Manage existing stocking programs/consignments programs as assigned by the Purchasing Manager.
• For assigned commodity groups, provide insight and countermeasures on purchased prices variances to reduce or eliminate unfavorable variances.
• Keep management informed of Material Review Board dispositions of non-conforming purchased material.
• Work with Engineering department to source new material and create additional sources for existing items.
• Complete assigned special projects as directed by the Purchasing Manager
• Support the implementation of standard processes for the departmental activities.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and determine root causes.

• Demonstrated knowledge of sourcing methodology and its application (e.g. fact-based negotiations and cross functional team collaboration) and effective management of supplier relationships (relationship building, performance, development and integration) is required.
• Basic negotiation skills and familiarity with the commercial, regulatory, and intellectual property elements of a contract, and identifying elements of risk in making recommendations is required.
• Technical aptitude, including familiarity with of manufacturing and assembly processes and proficiency with reading and understanding blueprints, mechanical drawings, and schematics is strongly desired.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing standards and practices, including Kanban and pull systems is desired.
• Intermediate to advanced level proficiency MS Office software applications (to include ability to create formulas, charts/graphs, pivot tables and other data aggregation tools in Excel).
• ERP knowledge and experience is required.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills, including the ability to gather and organize relevant information, and identify underlying issues or problems, trends, and cause-effect relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that fosters teamwork and collaboration and develops high quality working relationships in order to influence, gain support, and achieve results.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively develop and write routine reports, process instructions and business correspondences. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees and managers, customers, and suppliers.
• Highly productive with a strong sense of urgency and orientation to details, accuracy, and excellent outcomes. Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset and an advocate for change. Exposure to lean manufacturing principles is a plus.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to adapt to internal processes and change, delays or unexpected events. Ability to respond to adversity or restrictions of the organization with resilience and tenacity.
• Strong work ethic, including the ability to be self-directed and self-motivated. Demonstrated professionalism, passion, and initiative with projects and tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle proprietary and sensitive information with…