Buyer - Planner III

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title:

Buyer Planner III

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:

The Buyer Planner III aligns sales forecasts, customer demand, inventory requirements, manufacturing capacity, and component availability to develop and maintain executable production schedules. While the role includes tactical purchasing responsibilities for assigned product lines, the primary focus is optimizing factory throughput, balancing inventory investment, and supporting efficient production execution. This position serves as a key liaison between Demand Planning, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Strategic Sourcing while providing guidance and mentorship to Buyer Planner I and Buyer Planner II team members. Performs advanced production planning and scheduling activities required to attain production objectives across multiple product lines and manufacturing operations. Assignments are highly complex and involve ownership of the Master Production Schedule (MPS), capacity planning, inventory optimization, and material flow management.

Essential Functions:

1. Convert sales forecasts, customer orders, and safety stock requirements into executable Master Production Schedules (MPS) and production work orders.
2. Level-load production schedules to balance machine, labor, and line capacity while maximizing throughput and operational efficiency.
3. Evaluate schedule change requests and determine impacts to capacity, material availability, inventory levels, and customer lead times.
4. Conduct Rough-Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) and Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP) to identify bottlenecks, resource constraints, and future capacity requirements.
5. Maintain and optimize planning parameters within JDE, including safety stock levels, reorder points, buffer stock strategies, and lot-sizing rules.
6. Monitor work-in-process (WIP), inventory velocity, Days of Supply (DOS), inventory turns, and excess and obsolete inventory (SLOB) to support inventory optimization goals.
7. Run and analyze MRP calculations to ensure component availability aligns with production schedules.
8. Issue and manage purchase orders for assigned suppliers and materials while balancing inventory investment with production requirements.
9. Coordinate with Strategic Sourcing and Procurement teams to address long-lead materials, supplier capacity constraints, and critical shortages.
10. Lead material phase-in and phase-out activities associated with Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and New Product Introductions (NPI).
11. Collaborate with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering teams to adjust schedules and material plans during quality holds, engineering changes, or equipment downtime.
12. Release and manage production work orders based on material availability, production priorities, and manufacturing capacity.
13. Develop reports, dashboards, and analytical tools utilizing ERP systems, Excel, and Power BI to support operational decision-making.
14. Monitor and report planning KPIs, including Schedule Attainment, On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery, Capacity Utilization, inventory performance, and Plan-versus-Actual production variances.
15. Serve as a subject matter expert for ERP/MRP planning processes, including parameter maintenance, system enhancements, and process documentation.
16. Mentor Buyer Planner I and Buyer Planner II team members on planning methodologies, scheduling strategies, and root-cause analysis.

Required Education and/or Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in production planning, master scheduling, capacity planning, materials management, or supply chain operations within a high-mix or discrete manufacturing environment.

Required Qualifications:

1. Advanced knowledge of Master Production Scheduling (MPS), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP), and inventory management principles.
2. Advanced knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and planning functionality.
3. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions, data analysis, and reporting.
4. Ability to analyze forecasting, inventory, capacity, and operational data to support business decisions.
5. Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
6. Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to mentor and develop junior planning personnel.
7. Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency in achieving operational objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. APICS/ASCM CPIM, CSCP, or related professional certification.
2. Advanced knowledge of JD Edwards (JDE) or similar ERP systems.
3. Experience utilizing Power BI or other business intelligence and reporting tools.
4. Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, and Pull/Kanban replenishment systems.
5. Experience supporting Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and New Product Introductions (NPI).
6. Experience serving as an ERP/MRP Super User or process owner.
7. Experience with finite scheduling methodologies and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) tools.

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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, other office equipment, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, PowerBI, 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. 

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