Buyer Planner

Description

We are currently looking to add a Buyer Planner to our Supply Chain team in St. Cloud, MN. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the materials, supplies, and inventory needed to support our products are available when and where they're needed. The Buyer Planner combines strategic planning, procurement, and supplier management to help maintain an uninterrupted flow of materials while balancing inventory levels, cost, and operational efficiency.

As a key partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Warehouse, Customer Service, and suppliers, you'll help drive production success while supporting continuous improvement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and monitor production schedules to support customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and delivery commitments.
• Analyze inventory levels, forecasts, and material requirements to ensure product availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Purchase raw materials, production supplies, packaging, and shipping materials from approved suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules, and proactively resolve supply issues that could impact production.
• Manage planning parameters, item master records, and material data within the ERP/MRP system to support accurate planning and purchasing decisions.
• Maintain purchasing, inventory, and supplier documentation in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support production goals, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze planning and purchasing data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

Values & Mindset

• Demonstrates Microbiologics' core values through collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to delivering results.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.
• Thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift and adaptability is key.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Knowledge of production planning, purchasing, inventory control, MRP, and supply chain management principles.
• Ability to analyze demand, inventory levels, supplier performance, and purchasing requirements to support effective business decisions.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems and business software to manage planning and procurement activities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when managing inventory, purchasing transactions, and system data.

Collaboration & Communication

• Builds strong working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Communicates effectively across departments to coordinate planning, purchasing, and production activities.
• Works collaboratively to solve problems and support organizational goals.

Problem-Solving & Initiative

• Identifies supply chain risks and develops practical solutions to maintain material availability and production continuity.
• Uses data and reporting to drive informed decisions related to inventory optimization, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Contributes to continuous improvement efforts that enhance planning effectiveness and procurement processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Three or more years of planning, buying, procurement, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite or similar business software preferred.
• APICS and/or Lean certification preferred.

About Microbiologics

Microbiologics is a global biotechnology company and trusted partner to healthcare and life science organizations worldwide. For more than 50 years, we have supported laboratories, manufacturers, and suppliers with high-quality biological control materials, assay services, and consulting.

Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with additional facilities across the United States, we are known for our collaborative culture, commitment to quality, and continuous improvement mindset.

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Company-funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Bonus potential
• A collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on growth
• $31.27 - $39.09 per hour based on education and experience

#LI-SW1