BUYER / PLANNER

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer/Planner manages purchasing and material planning activities that support manufacturing, distribution, customer demand, and new product introduction. The role converts forecasts, production requirements, and inventory data into timely supply actions, ensuring that materials, components, subassemblies, and finished goods are available in the right quantity, at the right time, and at the best overall value.

This position owns purchase order execution, supplier communication, material availability, shortage resolution, and inventory planning within assigned categories. The Buyer/Planner works closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Inventory Control, Business Development, Customer Service, and Finance to maintain supply continuity, control cost, and improve operational performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing & Purchase Order Management

· Create, release, manage, and close purchase orders and, where appropriate, blanket purchase agreements in accordance with approved requirements and company policies.

· Determine and confirm export and import documents meet requirements (e,g, HTC and product descriptions) for international shipments.

· Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, pricing, availability, lead times, minimum order quantities, payment terms, freight terms, and other commercial conditions.

· Negotiate pricing, delivery, quality, and terms within established authority to achieve the best total value including the impact of import duties and tariffs.

· Manage open orders from placement through receipt; expedite, defer, pull in, reschedule, or cancel orders as business requirements change.

· Resolve order, receiving, pricing, invoice, quantity, and specification discrepancies with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

· Maintain complete and accurate procurement records, supplier correspondence, acknowledgments, and supporting documentation.

Material Planning, MRP & Inventory Control

· Analyze internal demand forecasts, production schedules, external OEM customer requirements, historical usage, lead times, and inventory positions to determine material requirements.

· Use ERP and MRP tools, including exception messages and purchase suggestions, to identify shortages, excess inventory, late supply, and required planning actions.

· Define and maintain planning parameters such as lead time, order quantity, safety stock, reorder points, and stocking policies (e.g. stock, non-stock, drop-ship and cross-dock) for assigned items.

· Balance service, production continuity, cash requirements, and obsolescence risk when making replenishment decisions.

· Coordinate material availability for production schedules, non-stock requirements, ready-to-fly production, MRO needs, R&D activity, and new product launches.

· Manage backorders, substitutions, allocations, and supply constraints; communicate risks and recovery plans promptly.

Supplier Management & Sourcing

· Identify, evaluate, select, qualify, and onboard suppliers in coordination with Category Management, Quality and other functional stakeholders.

· Develop productive supplier relationships and serve as the day-to-day commercial contact for assigned suppliers and categories.

· Monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, cost, and service performance; address deficiencies and support corrective actions.

· Source alternate suppliers and equivalent materials to reduce supply risk, improve lead time, and support cost-reduction objectives.

· Support supplier agreements, vendor-managed inventory, economic order quantity, and replenishment programs when beneficial.

Cross-Functional Execution

· Partner with Engineering and suppliers on specifications, bills of material, engineering changes, product lifecycle transitions, and new product introductions.

· Collaborate with Production, Scheduling, Quality, Warehouse, Inventory Control, Customer Service, Business Development, and Finance to resolve supply and order issues.

· Provide timely responses to questions involving product availability, shipment status, returns, backorders, substitutes, and expected delivery dates.

· Coordinate non-stock purchasing and support quoting and order management activities as assigned.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

· Track and communicate inventory status, shortages, open-order risk, supplier performance, purchase price variance, lead-time improvement, and cost-saving opportunities.

· Analyze data and recommend practical actions to improve forecast accuracy, inventory effectiveness, procurement efficiency, and supplier performance.

· Support standard-cost updates, budgeting, cash-flow planning, payment-term improvements, and other cross-functional business reviews as requested.

· Participate in continuous improvement initiatives involving purchasing processes, material flow, ERP/MRP utilization, reporting, and internal controls.

· Maintain awareness of market conditions, supplier capacity, business-practice changes, and new or alternative materials relevant to assigned categories.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.

· Three to five years of hands-on experience in purchasing, material planning, inventory management, or a related supply chain role, preferably in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, electronics, or a high-precision environment.

· International sourcing experience with China a plus

· Working knowledge of purchasing, inventory control, demand planning, MRP, ERP, supplier management, and basic contract terms.Strong work ethic and dedication to Lumenier’s core value of “getting the job done.”

· Flexible work schedule and overtime to address International supply base as required

· Demonstrated ability to analyze requirements, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and respond effectively to changing demand or supply conditions.

· Strong negotiation, problem-solving, organizational, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and ERP systems.

· High attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, auditable records.

· Ability to work collaboratively across functions and communicate clearly with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· International sourcing experience, preferably involving suppliers in China.

· Experience with import duties, tariffs, HTC classifications, customs documentation, and related international trade requirements.

· Strong work ethic and demonstrated commitment to Lumenier’s core value of “getting the job done.”

· Experience purchasing drone, aerospace, electronics, carbon fiber, propulsion, mechanical, or other engineered components.

· Knowledge of AS9100, ISO quality systems, FAA requirements, NDAA considerations, DFARS requirements, government contracting, or related compliance expectations.

· Experience with strategic sourcing, supplier development, new product introduction, engineering changes, and product lifecycle management.

· Experience with forecasting, purchase suggestions, standard costing, purchase price variance, vendor-managed inventory, Kanban, two-bin, or other replenishment methods.

· APICS/ASCM, CPSM, Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable supply chain or continuous-improvement certification.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Planning & Prioritization

Translates changing demand into clear supply actions.

Commercial Judgment

Balances cost, quality, lead time, risk, and service.

Supplier Communication

Sets expectations, follows through, and resolves issues professionally.

Data & Systems Fluency

Uses ERP/MRP and spreadsheet data to make timely decisions.

Ownership & Follow-Through

Drives open actions to closure and escalates risk early.

Continuous Improvement

Looks for practical improvements in cost, flow, quality, and process.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Primarily an office-based role with regular interaction in manufacturing, warehouse, and inventory areas and occasional visits to supplier facilities.

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; frequent use of standard office equipment and business systems.

· Ability to communicate by phone, video, email, and in person and to review detailed specifications, reports, purchase documents, and system data.

· Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling of parts or packages. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Overtime or schedule flexibility may be required to support production deadlines, international supply base, urgent shortages, or supplier issues.

Benefits

Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, HSA, Life Insurance, LTD, STD, 401K