Buyer/Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title:

Buyer/Planner

Reports To:

Director of Manufacturing Operations

Senior Manager Supply Chain

Staff Accountability:

None

EEO:

2

FLSA:

Exempt

The Warn Group believes that every team member plays a significant role in our success. We enable our customers with the tools they need to work and play outdoors. This position description is designed to outline the primary duties of the role, qualifications, and job scope. Just as we do not want our customers to be limited in the outdoor space, we do not want to limit our team members nor the organization to just the work that is identified. It is our expectation that each team member will serve their customers wherever, whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

Position Summary:

Performs a variety of production planning activities required to attain production objectives within a

single production team. Assignments are relatively complex and involve planning activities for

purchased parts, including scheduling purchase orders with suppliers. Focus will be approximately

10% buying activities and 90% planning activities.

Essential Functions:

1. Regularly review MRP messages to determine what needs to be ordered, rescheduled, or canceled.
2. Balance the need for high service levels (part availability) with the goal reaching KPI for Inventory Turns.
3. Maintain accurate lead times, order multiples, and safety stock levels within JDE to ensure planning logic is sound.
4. Place orders with vendors and confirm delivery dates to ensure they align with the production schedule.
5. Proactively manage "past due" orders and push out deliveries if production schedules shift to avoid inventory increases.
6. Complete Supplier Scorecards on time (on-time delivery, quality issues, cost downs, etc.) and collaborate with vendors to resolve recurring issues.
7. Work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure the material plan matches the actual capacity of the machines and labor.
8. Anticipate material gaps prior to production impact and work with Supply Chain team to execute contingency strategies or secondary sourcing.
9. Release and manage work orders to the production floor based on the availability of raw materials.
10. Monitor purchase price variances (PPV) and look for opportunities to reduce costs through bulk buys or shipping consolidations.
11. Ensure all incoming materials meet industry-specific quality certifications (such as ISO or IATF standards) and manage the return of non-conforming material (SDMR).
12. Participate and help lead in Annual physical inventories to reconcile system data with physical stock.
13. Manage the transition of parts during Engineering Change Notices (ECN) to ensure old stock is exhausted before new versions are introduced.
14. Provide input on part availability, potential forecast changes, capacity needs and constraints.

Required Education and/or Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.
2. 1+ years of entry level experience in production planning/materials control’s function or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications:

1. Working Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDE).
2. Working knowledge of Word and Excel.
3. Ability to work with some to minimal supervision.
4. Ability to effectively solve problems.
5. Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
6. Passion and deep commitment that drives energy and care in one’s work, with a sense of urgency in the ability to prioritize and act promptly to achieve results.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Advanced knowledge of Excel (Pivot tables, VLOOKUPs).
2. Proficient knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDE).
3. Demonstrated knowledge of freight operations, including LTL/FTL, ocean, and air transit. Proven ability to analyze lead times and shipping constraints to mitigate supply chain disruptions and minimize premium freight expenditures.
4. Previous experience in manufacturing or other related industry.

Physical Demands:

May require a combination of sitting, standing, and walking. May require lifting up to 40 pounds without assistance.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, write, verbalize and comprehend instructions and correspondence in the English language. Exhibit strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external customers while providing exceptional quality of work and outstanding customer service.

Mathematical Skills:

Must have mathematical skills equivalent to those required under education requirement.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software:

Personal computer, fax machine, other office equipment, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint.

Environment/Atmospheric Conditions:

Ability to work in an office environment with traditional office lighting and office furniture, as well as consistent and frequent noise, interruptions and other similar distractions. Team members in this position may also be required to work in a shop or warehouse type environment and be exposed to loud noises from equipment and machinery, cold or hot temperatures, chemicals and vapors, etc.

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What’s In It for Me?

At the Warn Group, we take care of our team — because when you succeed, we all do. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• 3 Weeks of Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) – We believe in work life balance.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – Comprehensive coverage plans for you and your family.
• Company Provided Short-Term & Long-Term Disability – We've got your back if life throws you a curveball.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – With company match eligibility after your first paycheck to help you plan for the future.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free support resources for mental health, financial guidance, legal services, and more.
• Team Member Discounts – Significantly save on Warn Group products and gear through our employee purchase program.
• Career Growth & Training – Learn new skills, grow your knowledge, and advance with us.
• Team Environment – Work with people who support, respect, and value each other.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Warn Industries is committed to providing FMLA and equal opportunities for all applicants. Warn Industries recruits, hires, trains, and promotes team members in all job classifications without regard to age, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by law. For more information on FMLA, EEO and EPPA regulations, you can check out our career page located at . Warn Industries hires U.S. citizens and persons lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. All new employees must complete an INS Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and be able to provide verification of their status as a Non-Foreign person as defined by International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Section 120.14- 120.16. Warn Industries uses E-Verify for eligibility verification to work in the U.S. For more information on E-verify, you can visit