Buyer/Planner

At High Steel Service Center, we don’t just move metal—we move industries forward. As a leading Mid-Atlantic processor and distributor of carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, we deliver precision-cut products, just-in-time solutions, and unmatched customer service from our 200,000-square-foot facility. Our team drives the quality and reliability our customers count on, built on trust, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to getting it right the first time.

About the role

The Buyer/Planner ensures material availability to support direct customer orders and the internal production schedule. This position supports High’s sales and service goals through inventory management and procurement functions. Collaboration with outside vendors, internal supply chain, operations, and sales teams is required to achieve working capital and service objectives. This is a 1st Shift in-office role.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage purchase orders from purchase requisition stage through receipt of material from vendor.
• Monitor status of open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery, including timely communication, mitigation, and resolution of purchase order problems.
• Analyze and report key performance indicators, including inventory value, Purchase Price Variance (PPV), surpluses, shortages, and supplier performance.
• Plan monthly purchasing strategy using variables such as sales volume (1, 2, 3, 4 months forward), vendor volume agreements, market conditions, and pricing.
• Track and report daily and weekly trading prices of relevant commodities impacting raw material costs.
• Display thorough working knowledge of assigned commodities and associated supplier base.
• Coordinate product management through MRP input changes, obsolescence, and the introduction of new suppliers and/or materials due to new product development.
• Gather time commitments from sales team before purchasing inventory; follow up on commitments to ensure adherence to agreed timelines.
• Assist in forecast process, consisting of 1,200 SKUs and 400 customer forecasts performed monthly.
• Lead yearly supply plan review process with cross-functional teams, gaining consensus on vendor commitment levels for the following calendar (and fiscal) year.
• Gain working knowledge of production planning process to understand flow of raw materials through our internal supply chain; clearly articulate the tradeoff between service level and inventory management.
• Develop, prepare, report, and communicate measurements of vendor quality, forecast accuracy, on-time vendor delivery, inventory, and receipt projections to management.
• Serve on and may chair various company committees, as appointed.
• Promote the interest and favorable image of the High Companies.
• Support and sustain the values of the High Philosophy.
• Perform special assignments, as directed.

Requirements

• Supply chain background, with previous roles focused on procurement, forecasting, and inventory management.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly articulate information to internal and external partners.
• Knowledge of purchasing process from inputs (sales orders, forecast, dependent requirements) to purchase order placement and tracking.
• Detail-oriented with extreme accuracy.
• Experience using ERP systems such as SAP, JDE, or Oracle is required.
• Extensive spreadsheet analysis and strong mathematical abilities.
• Experience with DRP/MRP functionality is required.
• Five or more years of related experience.
• A four-year college degree (Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field) is required.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification is a plus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time coworkers.
• Vacation earned annually on your anniversary date; a portion of hours may be carried over.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match.
• Tuition Assistance with 100 percent reimbursement for approved courses and degree programs that are job-related and pre-approved by your supervisor.
• Employee Assistance Program providing professional, confidential assistance for personal issues.
• High Family Foundation Scholarship awarded annually to children of High coworkers working at least 1,000 hours per year and employed for at least two years ($4,000 per year for accredited degree programs).
• Good Measure Award presented periodically to individuals or teams exemplifying The High Philosophy and going above and beyond normal job responsibilities.
• Access to the High Health & Wellness Center.

Reporting Relationships: The Buyer/Planner is appointed by and reports to the Supply Chain Manager. Interacts with Purchasing Assistant, production and inventory planner, and collaborates daily with sales and administrative teams.