Buyer/Planner I

Schedule: Monday - Friday (40 hrs/wk) 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Department: Purchasing - 134 Primary Purpose: The Buyer/Planner I is responsible for the demand planning & forecasting efforts and purchase order execution to ensure uninterrupted material availability in support of day-to-day operations. This role focuses on managing supplier purchase orders, demand planning & forecasting, and inventory continuity across technical operations areas, while balancing service reliability, cost control, and process compliance. The position integrates purchasing execution with inventory planning and cross-functional coordination and communication across various technical operations groups, and Supply Chain Value Teams (SCVT) to support a stable and continuous flow of materials within ARUP Laboratories operating environment. The Buyer/Planner I utilizes ERP systems, demand forecasting methods, strategies, and supplier order management best practices to optimize inventory levels while maintaining a consistent flow of material. About ARUP: ARUP Laboratories is a national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and an enterprise of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ARUP proudly hires top talent to create a work environment of diversity, professional growth and continuous development. Our workforce is committed to the important service we provide to over one million patients each month. We always strive for excellence and have a strong desire to have involvement with the advances in medicine and the role laboratory services plays within each patient's life. We never forget that there is a patient behind every specimen we receive. We are looking for individuals who want to contribute to ARUP's culture of accountability, integrity, service, and excellence. Consider joining our dynamic team. Essential Functions: Partner directly with technical operations and internal stakeholders to understand the material and inventory requirements for each technical section and/or testing requirements. Maintains ERP planning parameters, including order point levels, safety stock, purchase order quantity and delivery frequency based on consumption and forecasted demand. Determine and manage inventory requirements across primary and satellite warehouses or storage locations to ensure uninterrupted material availability based upon decisions made through the planning and forecasting process. Works with all supply chain organizations and technical operations to provide professional guidance to ensure compliance with inventory-related cost and process standards. Determine procurement activities by issuing and managing purchase orders, standing orders, internal requisitions, managing lot sequesters, and other purchasing transactions in alignment with operational needs. Maintain overall understanding of supplier performance to include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relating to delivery, quality, responsiveness, service reliability, on-time in-full (OTIF) performance, and backorder improvement strategies. Purchase materials and services at the most favorable total cost, consistent with quality, quantity, specification and service level requirements. Maintain accurate supplier pricing and purchasing records within the ERP and procurement systems. Coordinates resolution of supplier-related issues, including delivery delays, quality concerns, return of defective or rejected, excess, or obsolete materials. Monitor and maintain the effective flow of information between supply chain, technical operations, warehouse/storeroom teams, and suppliers to support timely decision-making and understanding. Analyze inventory data to identify trends, risks, slow-moving, excess or obsolete inventory, and make corrective actions to maintain inventory health and supply continuity. Prepare and provide accurate reports for management including backorder status, past due orders, inventory levels, and on-time delivery metrics. Identify, communicate, and support mitigation of risks related to supply availability, demand changes, or supplier performance to the supply chain leadership, and SCVTs. Expedites purchase orders to maintain material flow Perform other duties as assigned in support of operational continuity and supply chain objectives. Physical and Other Requirements: Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Mobility: The person in this position needs to occasionally move between work sites and inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Communicate: Frequently communicate with others. PPE: Biohazard laboratory environment that requires use of personal protective equipment in accordance with CDC and OSHA regulations and company policies. ARUP Policies and Procedures: To conduct self in compliance with all ARUP Policies and Procedures. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Fine Motor Control: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Vision: Having close, far, and peripheral visual acuity to perform a variety of tasks such as make general observations of depth and distance.