Buyer

About the role

The Procurement Buyer/Planner supports the mission of delivering innovative, high-quality products on time and at competitive prices by applying procurement and planning best practices. This role manages supplier relationships, optimizes inventory levels, and ensures the timely flow of materials and components to support production. The Procurement Buyer/Planner executes documented procurement processes, follows procurement and stocking strategies set by supply chain leadership, tracks incoming shipments, and identifies opportunities for cost savings and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while following procurement strategies established by supply chain leadership.
• Perform procurement and planning duties that align with the organization’s business objectives and guidelines for business conduct.
• Support product development activities and program launch processes through effective procurement planning and execution.
• Partner with project management teams to support new customer initiatives, new product launches, and end-of-life material rundown.
• Maintain end-to-end procurement processes, including creating and managing supplier orders, handling invoicing activities, recording receipts, and managing inventory of raw materials and components.
• Ensure consistency of system pricing throughout the value chain to maintain accurate cost and margin visibility.
• Maintain visibility of supplier production rates, raw material availability, and stock levels to support reliable supply.
• Assist with supplier production planning to align output with organizational forecasts and material consumption rates.
• Monitor and optimize inventory levels to balance supply with demand while minimizing excess stock and avoiding shortages.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with suppliers to secure advantageous terms and conditions for the organization.
• Implement and maintain procurement metrics to track performance, identify areas for improvement, and provide regular reports to supply chain management.
• Manage purchase orders within the purchasing system, including requisition creation, approval workflows, resolution of invoice issues, and ongoing order management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall supply chain performance.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with applicable industry regulations and internal policies.
• Identify and mitigate procurement risks through proactive planning, supplier risk assessment, and timely problem-solving.
• Perform sourcing activities to support organizational priorities, both within the existing supply base and by identifying new suppliers as needed.

Essential Skills

• 3 to 5 years of related experience in procurement and planning with a proven track record of success.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, and purchase order management.
• Hands-on experience with inventory management and supply chain planning.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers to achieve favorable terms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using procurement or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Ability to manage invoicing processes and resolve invoice-related issues in coordination with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, projects, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with suppliers, project management, and cross-functional teams.
• Analytical skills to interpret procurement metrics, monitor inventory levels, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a buyer or planner role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Familiarity with vendor management best practices and supplier performance evaluation.
• Comfort working with data in Microsoft Excel, including reporting and basic analysis.
• Experience supporting new product introductions and end-of-life material planning.
• Exposure to continuous improvement initiatives within procurement or supply chain functions.

Work Environment

This role is primarily on site, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position is generally performed in an office environment, but the associate may occasionally work in areas with wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions. Noise levels in the office can vary, and there may be occasional exposure to loud noise. The role requires up to approximately 20% travel, both domestic and international. Standard professional office attire is expected, with appropriate safety attire required when visiting production or industrial areas as dictated by site safety practices.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $33.00 – $36.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)