Buyer

SUMMARY

This hands-on Buyer / Planner role supports a manufacturing operation by coordinating purchasing, material planning, inventory availability and day-to-day supply needs. The position works closely with suppliers and internal operations to keep materials aligned with production demand, maintain appropriate inventory levels and prevent shortages. It offers broad exposure across procurement, planning, inventory and warehouse functions for someone who enjoys a varied, fast-moving environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use MRP/ERP data to evaluate material requirements, timing and demand; create purchase orders and internal work orders as needed.
• Obtain supplier quotations, compare options and support purchasing decisions based on cost, quality, availability and delivery performance.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships, assist with supplier qualification and identify opportunities for improved pricing, lead times and service.
• Monitor open orders, material flow, blanket orders and long-lead requirements; communicate forecasts and adjust schedules to support production priorities.
• Maintain shortage and production-priority reporting using Excel and other reporting tools.
• Partner with engineering and operations on alternate materials, parts, BOM corrections and workflow needs when appropriate.
• Coordinate rejected material returns, credits and purchasing discrepancies; assist with invoice-related issues when needed.
• Perform cycle counts, investigate inventory variances and support accurate inventory transactions and annual inventory activities.
• Support continuous-improvement efforts across purchasing, inventory and material-handling processes.
• Provide hands-on warehouse support as needed, including picking/kitting, stock put-away, receiving, material transfers and basic assembly/preparation tasks.
• Receive and verify incoming goods and complete applicable system transactions.
• Help maintain safe, organized and efficient material storage areas and communicate potential workflow or material issues to management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience in purchasing, production/material planning and inventory control within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on MRP/ERP experience; SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort creating or maintaining reports from multiple data sources; working knowledge of Word and Outlook.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings/blueprints.
• Strong supplier communication, negotiation, organization and problem-solving skills.
• Comfort balancing office-based planning responsibilities with periodic hands-on support in warehouse or production areas.
• High school diploma required; relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• APICS or ISM certification, lean/5S exposure and familiarity with AI-enabled tools are helpful but not required.
• Ability to lift and handle materials or boxes up to approximately 30 lbs. when supporting operations.

BENEFITS

• Broad role with exposure to purchasing, production planning, inventory control, supplier management and warehouse operations.
• Opportunity to directly influence material availability, production continuity, supplier performance and inventory efficiency.
• Cross-functional visibility with engineering, production, sales, service, finance and warehouse teams.
• Hands-on environment that offers variety beyond a traditional desk-based purchasing position.
• Opportunity to strengthen ERP/MRP, supplier negotiation, forecasting, reporting and continuous-improvement experience.
• Stable full-time opportunity within a manufacturing environment where flexibility, initiative and problem-solving are valued.