Buyer / Planner

Job Description Summary

The Buyer / Planner is responsible for coordinating production planning and procurement activities to ensure the timely availability of materials and efficient manufacturing operations across US Kitting sites.

This role serves as a critical link between supply chain and production, ensuring that inventory, purchasing, and production plans are aligned with operational goals and customer demand.

How will you make an impact & Requirement

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning

• Develop and maintain production schedules based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, and capacity constraints
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and sales teams to align production plans with business priorities
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to address delays, shortages, or demand fluctuations
• Analyze capacity and resource utilization to optimize workflow and minimize downtime
• Maintain accurate production plans, work orders, and performance metrics
• Analyze demand, inventory levels, and lead times to optimize replenishment strategies
• Collaborate with S&OP and operations teams to anticipate future material and production needs

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Execute daily purchasing activities to ensure timely acquisition of raw materials, components, and supplies
• Source materials and work with vendors to achieve competitive pricing, quality, and lead times
• Monitor supplier performance and escalate issues related to delivery, quality, or compliance
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to balance service levels and carrying costs
• Ensure purchasing activities align with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Track supplier KPIs (on-time delivery, lead time, quality) and support performance improvement actions

Inventory & Materials Management

• Manage inventory to support production needs while minimizing excess and obsolescence
• Support implementation of materials management best practices such as:
• MRP (Material Requirements Planning)
• Reorder point (ROP) strategies
• Vendor-managed inventory (VMI)
• ABC analysis

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Utilize SAP system to manage planning and purchasing activities
• Analyze key metrics including inventory levels, supplier performance, and production adherence
• Partner with data and supply chain teams to support dashboards and reporting
• Provide insights to stakeholders to support data-driven decision making

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Planning, Quality, PMO and Logistics teams
• Support new product introductions, demand changes, and supply transitions
• Communicate risks related to supply, capacity, or inventory in a timely manner

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and drive improvements to planning, procurement, and inventory processes
• Support initiatives to reduce costs, improve supplier reliability, and increase efficiency
• Contribute to projects that improve supply chain responsiveness and performance
• Assist in maintaining SAP data accuracy and system effectiveness

Strategic Contribution

• Support contingency planning to mitigate supply chain disruptions
• Contribute to cost savings initiatives and process improvements
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives to enhance supply chain performance
• Help improve visibility through reporting and analytics

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3-5 years of experience in production planning, purchasing, or supply chain roles
• Experience in a manufacturing or operations environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Supply Chain & Planning
• Strong understanding of planning and procurement processes
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems
• Knowledge of inventory control and replenishment strategies
• Analytical Skills
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving capability
• Ability to interpret demand, inventory, and performance data
• Communication & Collaboration
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with suppliers and internal stakeholders

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, data analysis)
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems
• Familiarity with reporting tools (Power BI or similar a plus)

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS/CPIM certification
• Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement
• Familiarity with ISO standards or regulated environments
• Exposure to global supply chain operations

We are an equal opportunity employer