Buyer/Planner

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Buyer/Planner to manage all aspects of production planning including the development of detailed production schedules, campaign schedules, and material requirements planning.

The Buyer/Planner reports to the Site Planning Leader with preparing the master production schedule, while responsible for preparing 4 week detailed daily schedule on a weekly basis.

They also purchase materials, packaging components, parts and supplies as needed, and work closely with the strategic sourcing, production, quality, procurement, distribution, product management, marketing & sales, and customer service departments.

This is a full-time position based onsite at our Phillipsburg, NJ location.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

• Supports breaking the master production schedule down into finite production asset plans for 1 to 4 week frozen planning horizon as well as 4-8 week fluid planning horizon.
• Coordinates preparation for production schedules and material orders; communicates production plans effectively across the organization.
• Works closely with other planners in related areas or plants to coordinate purchases to cover overall demand.
• Monitors and adjusts schedules to respond to market/production requirements and optimizes costs.
• Reviews forecast and master data to close supply gaps before they impact customers.
• Analyzes and evaluates inventory and delivery problems; recommends solutions as appropriate.
• Communicates as needed with manufacturing, customer service, quality, marketing and distribution departments regarding product availability and delivery schedules.
• Demonstrates and maintains effective cost reduction strategies.
• Maintains production metrics.
• Issues SAP process orders and controls report backs from operations teams.
• Responsible for alignment of production assets and resources for weekly production schedule.
• Reports out production rates, asset up time and asset utilization on a regular basis.
• Serves as a backup for other Planners/Schedulers across North American facilities as needed.
• Develops and implements programs to create, validate, and maintain system data necessary to fully utilize the MRP capabilities of SAP.
• Improves the responsiveness of the operation through managing lead times and collaborating with stakeholders to improve the supply chain.
• Establishes and deploys best practices to ensure customer and business expectations are met for all Make to Stock, Make to order, and Package to Order product strategies.
• Manages purchasing activities, including but not limited to: a. Places purchase orders with vendors based upon sales orders and established inventory settings; b. Reconciles invoices as required; c. Minimizes inventory to reduce working capital while maximizing service level to the customer; d. Return to vendor goods not meeting Avantor specifications, received damaged, or otherwise not usable.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we're looking for:

• Education: BA/BS required in supply chain management or related field.
• Experience:
• Understands the financial impact of planning on variances, customer service and inventory investment.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years in production planning.
• Certification/s: APICS/ASCM certification a plus.
• Additional Qualifications:
• Experience utilizing SAP for planning/material movement preferred.
• Chemical/or pharmaceutical experience preferred.
• Experience in a regulated environment such as cGMP, ISO, or FDA is a plus.
• Experience in planning in an asset- or raw material-constrained environment desired.
• Excellent with multi-tasking, follow-up, and execution of assignments.
• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with ability to effectively work in a team environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of MRP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and manage/multiple SKUs.
• Excellent problem solving, time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, initiative, detail oriented and solution focused.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.


The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.


We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$62,500.00 - $100,625.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at View email address on aiapply.co and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy:

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.

Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.