Buyer/Planner

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Buyer to support material purchasing and production planning activities for our manufacturing operations in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. This position plays an important role in balancing supplier coordination, inventory levels, and manufacturing schedules to help meet customer commitments. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, and comfortable working across multiple departments in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze planning and demand data within internal systems to identify material requirements and purchasing priorities.

• Request and compare vendor pricing, develop sourcing options, and issue accurate purchase orders that align with quantity, cost, and timing needs.

• Track open orders, confirm supplier commitments, and accelerate deliveries when production timelines are at risk.

• Review supplier performance by monitoring delivery results, product quality, responsiveness, and overall cost effectiveness.

• Resolve procurement-related issues such as shortages, late shipments, receiving discrepancies, and supplier quality concerns to minimize operational disruption.

• Build and maintain production schedules by aligning customer demand with material availability, labor resources, and manufacturing capacity.

• Partner with Production, Engineering, Customer Service, Quality, and Warehouse teams to coordinate schedule changes and support on-time shipment goals.

• Identify capacity limitations, material gaps, and scheduling conflicts early, then communicate risks and recommended actions to the appropriate stakeholders.

• Maintain accurate purchasing and item records, generate planning and supplier reports, and contribute to continuous improvement and cost reduction effort

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• At least 2 years of experience in purchasing, planning, scheduling, inventory control, quoting, or manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of ERP or MRP systems, inventory practices, and production planning processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate successfully with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, along with general business systems and web-based tools.
• Ability to work independently and adapt quickly in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.