Associate Buyer/Planner

Job Overview The Buyer/Planner will be managing various commodities and suppliers from “quote to pay” to ensure continuity of supply and reduce the cost of the assigned portfolio. The candidate will be organized, communicative, hands‑on and will have regular shop floor engagement and constant cross‑functional engagement with production, NPI, engineering, logistics, material handling, and suppliers. The role balances tactical buying excellence with advanced planning, supplier coordination, and cost control, ensuring uninterrupted supply while supporting business objectives. Responsibilities Manage purchase orders, releases, and schedules to meet production and service requirements Translate demand forecasts and MRP signals into executable supply plans that align with demand Monitor inventory levels, lead times, MOQ compliance and capacity constraints Ensure material availability while optimizing inventory and working capital Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned suppliers Communicate forecasts, schedule changes, and priorities clearly and proactively Monitor supplier performance (OTD, quality, responsiveness) Resolve supply disruptions and expedite when required Qualifications At least 2 years of experience in production control, material demand planning, or supply chain management environment Independent, excellent communicator, and collaborator with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Manufacturing Detail‑oriented with thorough analytical capabilities including the ability to solve problems with minimal supervision Proficient with Google Sheets and Google Workspace tools. Experience with ERP packages Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management or similar discipline Cultural fit: Pragmatic Optimism (creative, practical, problem solver), Excellence without Ego (expertise, rigorous, data‑driven, service‑oriented, leadership ability, humble), Proactive Collaboration (seeking others, inclusive, respectful) Smart, cognitively agile, high‑horsepower, dependable person Clear, concise, to the point communication and presentation skills, ability to work with teams Data‑driven and analytical Minimum Requirements Deep knowledge of material planning, forecasting factoring in demand, supply, lead times, inventory, and business inputs regarding risks and use‑of‑capital Deep understanding of planning systems and parameters to optimize inventory levels Ability to provide data‑driven status updates to manage exceptions Experience administering competitive RFQs and driving supplier negotiations and supporting cost reduction activities Ability to build and manage effective supplier relationships and act as the primary interface with suppliers on delivery status, issues, and problem resolution Ability to communicate proactively with Production, Material Handling, and Engineers about order status and schedule challenges, and manage change orders, rush requests, and returns, as necessary Preferred Requirements Experience managing the transition of new products into volume production with manufacturing partners Partner with IT and other business stakeholders on planning processes and system improvements Experienced with cross‑functional business process improvements to improve the supply chain efficiency $68,000 - $77,000 a year. Onsite at our Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre‑IPO stock options + benefits. In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company‑specific knowledge. #J-18808-Ljbffr