Buyer/Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Role and Responsibilities

The Purchasing Buyer/Planner manages material planning and purchasing activities to support production and customer delivery requirements at Catapult Global. This role analyzes demand, manages inventory levels, negotiates pricing and terms, and collaborates with suppliers and internal teams to ensure materials are available on time and at the right cost. Responsibilities include sourcing, supplier coordination, cost management, and ongoing supply chain performance oversight.

Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and procure materials, components, and finished goods based on MRP, forecasts, and customer demand.
• Monitor and adjust inventory levels to support production schedules and customer commitments.
• Review MRP outputs, validate data accuracy, and execute purchasing actions accordingly.
• Align material demand with supplier lead times and proactively identify supply risks.
• Create, revise, and manage purchase orders including confirmations, date changes, and quantity adjustments.
• Expedite or de-expedite as needed to support production and contractual shipment timelines.
• Resolve supply issues including delays, shortages, quality discrepancies, lead-time variances, partial shipments, and logistics challenges.
• Provide supply status updates and communicate readiness to Account Managers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate ERP data (pricing, lead times, order status, planned dates, item information).

Costing, Terms & Compliance Responsibilities

• Manage costing responsibilities including unit pricing, extended cost, landed cost factors, and cost change tracking.
• Establish and negotiate Incoterms, freight terms, lead times, and minimum order quantities (MOQs) with suppliers.
• Review and negotiate vendor terms and conditions, including payment terms, warranty clauses, return policies, and service expectations.
• Validate and reconcile vendor quotes, confirm pricing accuracy, and support standard cost updates with Finance.
• Evaluate supplier total cost impact, including logistics costs, duties, tariffs, and other landed cost elements.
• Support sourcing decisions through competitive quoting and supplier benchmarking.

Supplier Relationship Responsibilities

• Source suppliers and evaluate capability based on quality, delivery performance, and pricing competitiveness.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to ensure performance and reliability.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics (quality, OTD, responsiveness) and support corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with suppliers on improvements, cost reductions, and lead-time optimization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Logistics, Finance, and Sales to align materials with business requirements.
• Support Finance in cost roll-ups, vendor billing issues, and cost variance resolution.
• Assist Logistics with freight coordination and Incoterm compliance when required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of purchasing, planning, or supply chain experience.
• Knowledge of procurement, MRP, and inventory control practices.
• Experience in negotiating pricing, terms, and delivery conditions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret demand, cost sheets, and supply data.
• Ability to operate in a deadline-driven, production-support environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Key Skills

• Cost & Terms Negotiation: Able to negotiate price, Incoterms, and vendor terms to achieve favorable cost and risk posture.
• Analytical Ability: Able to interpret MRP, costing, and inventory data to support decision-making.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in PO data, delivery dates, pricing, and ERP transactions.
• Supplier Communication: Coordinates confidently with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with NetSuite, Oracle, SAP, or equivalent ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Experience in OEM, electronics, contract manufacturing, or gaming supply chains (preferred)

Salary Range & Training

• $60,000–$65,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• This position includes internal training on company-specific purchasing, planning, supplier coordination, and ERP/MRP processes; to support success in the role.