Buyer Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Hoppecke Batteries Inc. is seeking a highly organized and proactive Buyer / Planner to support our growing operations. The Buyer / Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely availability of materials required to meet customer demand while maintaining optimal inventory levels. This role combines purchasing, inventory management, and production planning responsibilities and requires close collaboration with suppliers, manufacturing, logistics, customer service, and finance.

The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and able to balance service, inventory, and cost objectives in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material plans based on forecasts, customer orders, inventory levels, and production requirements.
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders to ensure timely replenishment of materials and components.
• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery reliability, lead times, quality, and responsiveness.
• Review inventory levels and planning parameters regularly to optimize stock availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to support manufacturing schedules and prioritize material requirements.
• Identify and proactively address potential supply chain disruptions, shortages, and delivery delays.
• Maintain accurate item master data, supplier information, and planning records within the ERP system.
• Coordinate with logistics providers and suppliers regarding shipments, delivery schedules, and material availability.
• Analyze demand trends and recommend adjustments to purchasing and inventory strategies.
• Support cycle count activities, inventory audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and communicate key supply chain performance metrics, including inventory turns, supplier delivery performance, and material availability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in purchasing, planning, materials management, or supply chain operations.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with the capability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Key Competencies

• Demand and inventory planning
• Procurement and supplier management
• ERP and data analysis
• Attention to detail
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Continuous improvement
• Sense of urgency and accountability

About HOPPECKE Batteries, Inc.

HOPPECKE Batteries, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of a global enterprise headquartered in central Germany with over 95 years’ experience in the battery industry. Established in the USA in 1985, we have been manufacturing lead-acid and NiCad batteries for 30+ years with a focus on two major market segments: GRID/ESS (e.g., Engine Start, Transmission & Distribution, and UPS) and RAIL (Rail car emergency power, locomotive traction power, and AGVs). Along with these core technologies, we are expanding into lithium-ion batteries for traction and auxiliary applications in the rail industry. We have successfully delivered traction batteries among the first in the USA.

Company Description

About HOPPECKE Batteries, Inc.\r\n\r\nHOPPECKE Batteries, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of a global enterprise headquartered in central Germany with over 95 years’ experience in the battery industry. Established in the USA in 1985, we have been manufacturing lead-acid and NiCad batteries for 30+ years with a focus on two major market segments: GRID/ESS (e.g., Engine Start, Transmission & Distribution, and UPS) and RAIL (Rail car emergency power, locomotive traction power, and AGVs). Along with these core technologies, we are expanding into lithium-ion batteries for traction and auxiliary applications in the rail industry. We have successfully delivered traction batteries among the first in the USA.