Buyer Planner

Job Details

The Buyer Planner is responsible for ensuring that materials, components, and services are available to support production requirements while optimizing inventory levels, cost, and supplier performance. This role sits at the intersection of purchasing, production planning, and supplier management—requiring strong analytical skills, communication, and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

• Review production schedules and material requirements to determine purchasing needs.
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials and components.
• Maintain accurate ERP system data including lead times, pricing, supplier information, and order status.
• Track open orders and follow up with suppliers on delivery commitments, delays, or discrepancies.
• Work closely with production, engineering, quality, and customer service to resolve material-related issues.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiation and alternative sourcing when appropriate.
• Address non-conformances and coordinate return-to-vendor (RTV) or corrective actions when necessary.
• Collaborate with internal teams on new part setup, engineering changes, and material transitions.
• Analyze demand trends and forecast material requirements to support long-term planning.
• Maintain documentation and purchasing records in compliance with company and audit requirements.
• Convert material and production requirements into scheduled shop orders within the ERP/MRP system.
• Sequence jobs based on capacity, due dates, material availability, and work center constraints.
• Collaborate with production supervisors to adjust schedules in response to machine downtime, labor shortages, or quality issues.
• Monitor WIP (work in process) and proactively address bottlenecks or delays that could impact customer deliveries.
• Release shop orders to the floor with complete and accurate routing, BOM, and documentation.
• Review and update planned vs. actual production timelines to support accurate planning and forecasting.
• Cook up with engineering on new or revised parts to ensure routing and lead time data is correct before scheduling.
• Communicate schedule changes to stakeholders including production, customer service, and leadership.
• Ensure alignment between the production schedule and supplier material receipts to avoid downtime.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems (capacity planning, scheduling, purchasing modules).
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, routings, and bill of materials (BOM).
• Ability to interpret production schedules, forecast data, and demand signals.
• Solid understanding of supply chain concepts, including supplier management and logistics.
• Competence in reading basic engineering drawings, specs, or part documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and trend tracking.
• Clear and professional communication with suppliers, production, engineering, and customer service.
• Excellent time management — able to balance purchasing, planning, expediting, and administrative duties.

Why Join Us?

• 60-80k!
• 401K Matching!
• Accelerated Career Growth!
• Challenging Problems!