Buyer/Planner

Buyer/Planner

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement

Position Summary

Advanced Technology Systems Company (ATSC) is seeking a detail-oriented and results-driven Buyer/Planner to join our Supply Chain team. This position is responsible for managing the procurement, sourcing, and planning activities for assigned commodity categories to ensure uninterrupted material availability while optimizing inventory, cost, quality, and supplier performance.

The ideal candidate is analytical, organized, and collaborative, with experience working in a manufacturing environment and utilizing ERP/MRP systems to support production and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Manage assigned commodity categories and supplier relationships.
• Create and maintain purchase orders based on MRP action messages.
• Track purchase orders and ensure timely supplier confirmations.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to improve competitiveness and supply continuity.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms within established guidelines.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives and continuous cost-reduction efforts.
• Resolve supplier shortages, delivery delays, and quality issues while minimizing operational impact.

Planning & Inventory Management

• Analyze MRP recommendations and develop purchasing plans to support production schedules.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while balancing customer service and inventory carrying costs.
• Collaborate with production planning to support demand forecasts and scheduling requirements.
• Monitor changing demand patterns and proactively adjust purchasing plans to mitigate supply disruptions.
• Ensure material availability to support production and customer commitments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support operational objectives.
• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) and Engineering Change Order (ECO) activities.
• Communicate material risks, supplier constraints, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

Reporting & Data Analysis

• Track and report key supply chain performance metrics, including:
  • On-Time Delivery (OTD)
  • Inventory Turns
  • Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
  • Supplier Scorecards
• Analyze supplier spending and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Maintain accurate supplier, items, and purchasing data within the ERP system.
• Develop reports and perform analysis using Microsoft Excel.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. In lieu of degree 5+ years of experience in purchasing, planning, procurement, or supply chain

Experience

• Experience managing commodity categories is preferred.
• Manufacturing environment experience preferred.
• ERP/MRP system experience required.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of procurement, sourcing, and inventory management principles.
• Effective negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Team-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

ATSC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite resumes from all interested parties including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Advance Technology Systems Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.