Senior Buyer / Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Winning the race to bring new healthcare products safely to a waiting world drives Rapid Micro Biosystems (RMB) to combine today’s innovative technologies as never before. Your career at RMB puts you at the center of diverse global teams that span robotics, AI, Machine Learning, imaging, microbiology, and more, re-shaping how urgently needed pharmaceuticals are made, tested, and released for decades to come. The sky’s the limit.

Careers at RMB are fast-moving, with the high growth you’d expect from a world leader in microbiology automation. Advancement at RMB affords an opportunity to achieve your personal goals and develop your passions, in an inclusive environment where every employee has the resources and opportunities to hone their skills. You’ll do more, learn more, and have the ability to make a profound impact on our business.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer/Planner to lead the procurement and planning of direct materials, including electrical, mechanical, and consumable components, within a biotech environment. This role is responsible not only for ensuring material availability but for actively driving cost-reduction initiatives, supplier negotiations, and continuous improvement across the supply base.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, data-driven, and comfortable owning purchase price variance (PPV), supplier strategy, and cross-functional cost-out efforts while supporting production and growth.

• Own procurement and planning for materials (electrical, mechanical, and consumables) supporting production
• Lead supplier negotiations focused on purchase price reduction, lead time improvement, and commercial terms
• Develop and execute cost-out initiatives, including should-cost analysis, resourcing, volume leverage, and design-for-cost collaboration
• Actively manage PPV, identify trends, and implement corrective actions
• Establish and maintain planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, MOQ) in the ERP/MRP system
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality on supplier changes, alternate sourcing, and cost-reduction opportunities
• Drive supplier performance through scorecards, reviews, and corrective action plans
• Identify and mitigate supply risk while balancing inventory, service levels, and cost
• Support compliance and documentation requirements in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Mentor junior buyers/planners and contribute to best practices across the supply chain function

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in direct materials procurement and planning
• Demonstrated success driving cost reductions and supplier negotiations
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and planning logic (SAP)
• Experience managing electrical, mechanical, and/or consumable components
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills

• Experience leading sourcing or resourcing initiatives
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP)
• Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities

Rapid Micro Biosystems is proud to offer a competitive total compensation package designed to attract, inspire and retain the best talent in our industry. In addition to base pay, our full-time regular employees are eligible for an attractive benefits package, cash incentive opportunities, and an equity grant. 

The base annual salary hiring range for this position is $98,000 - $126,000.

ABOUT RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS:

Rapid Micro Biosystems creates, sells, validates, and services innovative products for fast, accurate, and efficient detection of microbial contamination in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, biologics, biotechnology products, medical devices, and personal care products.

The company’s Growth Direct™—the first and only growth-based system to automate rapid compendial QC Micro testing—ensures data integrity, compliance, and operational efficiencies driven by rapid methods and automation.

Rapid Micro Biosystems is dedicated to providing groundbreaking technology and products to support companies in their journey to achieve greater reliability, efficiency, and better predictability, ultimately providing higher quality products for improved patient outcomes.

Rapid Micro Biosystems is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. Our research & development, and manufacturing operations are located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Additionally, we maintain field offices in Freising, Germany; Switzerland, and Singapore.

Equal Opportunity:

Rapid Micro Biosystems is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. Applicants for employment and employees are reviewed on their individual qualifications for a position. Under no circumstances will Rapid Micro Biosystems discriminate against qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religious creed, retaliation, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, mental illness, genetics, choice of health insurance, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.