Materials Requirements Planner & Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.

Materials Requirements Planner & Buyer

Location

On-site — Maynard, Massachusetts

Reports To

VP of Operations

Employment Type

Full-time 

Department

Operations

Requirement:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Wildlife Acoustics is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas for this role.

About the Role

We're looking for a Materials Requirements Planner to coordinate the link between engineering, contract manufacturing, and supply for our products. You'll build and maintain accurate bills of materials (BOMs), analyze production schedules for risk materials, and place and monitor the purchasing of safety stock that keep parts flowing — from early prototype builds through full-scale production. This new role carries real ownership from day one: you'll work directly with our engineering, quality and inventory control teams rather than a large, siloed procurement organization.

Key Responsibilities

BOM Management

• Create, maintain, and version BOMs system in coordination with the engineering team and contract manufacturers.
• Track engineering change orders (ECOs/ECNs) and update BOMs, costs, and open purchase orders as necessary.
• Maintain BOM accuracy across product phases (prototype, pilot/NPI, and production), flagging discrepancies before they cause shortages or scrap.
• Keep part numbering, approved manufacturer lists (AML/AVL), and item master data clean and current.

Materials & Demand Planning

• Run MRP against production schedules and coordinate with CMs to monitor for gaps and mitigate risk.
• Set and adjust order quantities, lead times, and safety stock levels by part and by program phase.
• Translate program timelines (prototype builds, pilot runs, production ramp) into phased material requirements.
• Monitor material inventory levels and open orders; proactively resolve shortages, excess, and at-risk components.

Purchasing / Buying

• Issue and manage purchase orders based on planning output, confirming pricing, lead time, and delivery dates.
• Negotiate lead times with suppliers; identify and qualify alternate sources for at-risk or single-source parts.
• Expedite orders as needed to protect build schedules and escalate supply risks early.
• Track supplier performance (on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness) and maintain vendor records.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with engineering to understand upcoming design changes and their material/supply impact.
• Work between operations and finance to align material plans with build schedules, cash flow, and inventory targets.
• Provide regular visibility into material availability, shortages, and risks to leadership and program stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of experience in structured BOM management, materials planning, and/or purchasing — ideally in a hardware, electronics, or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with an ERP/MRP system (e.g., NetSuite, Odoo, Fishbowl, or similar).
• Familiarity with engineering change processes (ECO/ECN) and how they flow through to BOMs and purchasing.
• Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills and comfort working with demand data, lead times, and inventory reports.
• Excellent organization and follow-through — able to track many parts, POs, and suppliers at once without losing accuracy.
• Comfortable in a small-company environment where you'll wear multiple hats and priorities can shift quickly.

Preferred

• Experience supporting a product through multiple development phases (prototype → pilot → production ramp).
• Background in electro-mechanical or electronics manufacturing (PCBs, cable assemblies, injection-molded parts, etc.).
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM or CSCP) or equivalent supply chain training.
• Experience working directly with contract manufacturers (CMs) or EMS partners.

What Success Looks Like

• BOMs are accurate and current, with ECOs reflected in purchasing and submitted to our contract manufacturers within days, not weeks.
• Production is rarely blocked on parts — shortages are caught and resolved before they hit the build floor.
• Inventory is right-sized: enough buffer to protect schedules without tying up excess cash.
• Engineering, operations, and finance all trust the materials plan as the single source of truth.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $72,000 - $83,000 - Exempt

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – We are an employee-owned company!
• Medical coverage – Cigna Triad /Securus (80/20)
• Dental coverage - Delta Dental (80/20)
• Vision coverage – VSP (80/20)
• Health Reimbursement Account – Funded by Employer ($5,500 for single plans & $9,000 for non-single plans)
• Dependent Care Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts available
• LT/ST/Life & ADD available (ST paid by employer)
• Health & Wellness Allowance and Programs
• PTO – 120 hours
• Floating Holidays – 10 days per calendar year
• Sick/Wellness Time: 40 hours
• 401(k) Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement: up to $5,000/year
• Training and Development Programs
• Charitable Giving Match
• Partial Mileage Reimbursement
• On-site Fitness Center Free Membership

WORKPLACE COMMITMENTS EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Wildlife Acoustics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length, and natural or protective hairstyles), color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap or disability, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, immigration or citizenship status, military obligations, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status as a domestic violence victim, prior criminal convictions, prior criminal arrest or prosecution that was resolved favorable for the individual, or participation in discrimination complaint-related activities or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local Laws. Our policy reflects and affirms Wildlife Acoustics’ commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.

THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT

The act expressly prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, such as lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child. It also describes employers’ obligations to employees that are pregnant or lactating and the protections these employees are entitled to receive. Generally, employers may not treat employees or job applicants less favorably than other employees based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions and have an obligation to accommodate pregnant workers.

ANTI-SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING POLICY

Wildlife Acoustics maintains a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery (including servitude, forced labor, and trafficking) and is committed to acting ethically across all business dealings and supply chains. This policy applies to all employees, directors, officers, contractors, and third-party representatives. It is strictly prohibited to engage in, facilitate, or fail to report any activity that constitutes modern slavery, such as utilizing forced labor, withholding identification documents, or engaging in fraudulent recruitment practices. All parties must comply with this policy and report any suspicious activity to management or Human Resources. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment/relationship with Wildlife Acoustics.