Buyer/ Procurement/Planner/Purchaser/Supply chain

Headquartered in Holland, Michigan and established over 40 years ago, The Stow Company manufactures a complete range of residential organization solutions to organize your entire home including your closet, garage, pantry, laundry room, and more. At The Stow Company, our passion is to help make life more efficient and enjoyable by providing intelligent storage solutions that put things in their proper place.

We are proud to be the only company covering the spectrum of residential storage and organization needs, from high-end, dealer-supplied custom solutions to do-it-yourself storage systems available online and in retail stores. Our organization systems are marketed under the Inspired Closets, ORG Home, Gorgeous Garage, ProClosets, EasyClosets, EasyGarage, Easy Track, and Garage Essentials brand names.

The Stow Company is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Buyer/Planner located in Holland, MI . designed, custom-cut, and shipped directly to our clients.

The Buyer/Planner is a hybrid role responsible for regionally supporting sourcing, planning, negotiating and purchase of direct/indirect materials and services for assigned commodities to meet the company’s operational requirements and meet customer demand. Assist in material management of raw materials and/or component parts to the manufacturing locations and validate material is available for production when needed. This includes ensuring the material is shipped on time and received/stored accurately. This role communicates directly with the supply base on any supply issues and works with internal partners on quality and inventory issues. This role also communicates directly with transportation teams for in-transit events tracking.
Supports a streamlined procurement process (from RFQ to Receipt) that focuses on solid communications between Stow employees and suppliers
Evaluates potential new suppliers for assigned commodities and plant
Purchases direct/indirect materials, components or services in line with specified quality, delivery, and cost targets
Ensures the best continuous supply of required goods and materials
Places blanket purchase agreements, long term contracts, tooling purchase orders, spot buys, etc.
Analyzes material requirements and initiates appropriate vendor material release schedules.
Maintains inventory levels to ensure an uninterrupted supply of material while at the same time, operating within established ordering rule constraints
Continuously monitors ongoing material requirements
Coordinates external logistics with suppliers to minimize inbound costs
Reviews excess and obsolete inventory and provides management recommendation for disposition
Assists with stock transfer between plants
Manages supplier capacity constraints to support S&OP rough cut capacity inputs

Leads supplier quality issues for assigned commodities
Delivers and updates reports as required (Variance analysis, Budget forecasts, KPI updates, Supplier Scorecards, etc.)
Supports vendor material planners when necessary to resolve routine issues such as past-due POs, match exceptions, discrepancies with freight charges and freight billings, price/invoice issue resolution, updating/incrementing POs, etc.
Analyzes and report significant vendor delivery problems to department manager

Participates in implementation of engineering changes and new model introductions leading procurement activities
Participates in implementation of engineering changes and new model introductions leading procurement activities
Defined as a significant risk of substantial harm that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by reasonable accommodation.
Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Corporation and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities
Bachelor's Degree in supply chain or operations with a minimum of 3-5 years in planning, supply chain and/or operations experience

Certifications/Licenses/Registrations:
~ APICS training/advanced certification preferred

Knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain concepts and parts flow
Experience in scenario planning and/or forecast modeling
Proficiency in MS Excel required
Intermediate/Advanced experience in ERP systems, preferably SAP
Must have excellent customer service skills; Must have the ability to interface with all levels of personnel in an office and a manufacturing environment
Ability to take the initiative and work well independently with little supervision, and as part of a team
Must be able to travel between plant and office locations
Ability to work overtime or occasionally on weekends with short notice
Typical office environment with shelves overhead and above work surfaces
Manufacturing environment with multiple machinery and moving parts