Purchasing and Inventory Planner; Tacoma, WA

Purchasing and Inventory Planner (Tacoma, WA)

As a “caretaker” of our brand’s legacy, the Purchasing and Inventory Planner works closely with the Operations and Supply Chain Management teams to ensure inventory levels are aligned with demand forecasts, and that raw materials are available when needed for production. In collaboration with internal management, they will administer vendor selection and purchasing of goods and services critical for production and distribution.

• Purchasing and Procurement
  • Act as point person for interfacing with key suppliers and outsource vendors, responding to inquiries about order status, changes, and cancellations.
  • Create, monitor, and manage purchase orders ensuring pricing, delivery dates, and final delivered quantities are updated and correct throughout the purchase order life cycle.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Operations and Supplier Quality Engineer to track and monitor supplier performance, quote packages for key materials, and manage outside processing services.
  • Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries, resolve shortages, and reconcile missed or late deliveries.
• Production and Inventory Planning
  • Release and monitor shop orders for applicable manufactured items for assigned product families based on production plans provided by internal management.
  • Work closely with internal management to ensure demand forecasts align with supply plans, making adjustments for fluctuations in demand and optimizing inventory levels.
  • Provide internal teams with regular updates on inventory status, including potential shortages and inventory availability based on forecasted demand.
  • Monitor inventory levels and back‑order dates to ensure stock is available at the chosen quantity and desired time.
  • Participate in phase‑gate process with New Product Development for new product launches and product phase‑outs.
• Supplier Coordination and Operations Support
  • Generate and present reports on inventory turnover, spend, and procurement status to internal management.
  • Ensure data accuracy within internal systems by updating purchase orders, shop orders, and associated tracking reports from order through delivery.
  • Monitor and report on inventory levels, including slow‑moving and excess inventory, to internal management.
  • Serve as backup for critical functions such as inventory movement/transfers, physical inventory counts, and order creation for materials outside normal scope of management.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Two‑year college or technical degree (e.g., Associate’s degree) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of related experience in materials planning and purchasing for manufacturing, preferably in printing.
• Proven ability in managing projects and negotiating best prices for a complex network of suppliers and outsource vendors.
• Demonstrated expertise in MS Office Excel and Word, Crystal Reports, and database mining and manipulation (e.g., Order Management System, inventory databases, or purchasing software).
• A current driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel 10% of the time.

• Language skills:
  Ability to read and interpret documents such as purchase orders, inventory records, and software technical help guides. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Mathematical skills:
  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning ability:
  Ability to solve practical problems, dealing with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

The employee is frequently required to sit, occasionally required to stand and walk, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position has an estimated annual salary of $65,000 - $80,000, dependent on experience. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, and the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a non‑management, full‑time position.