Planning Supervisor

Planning & Purchasing Supervisor / Manager Job Description We are seeking a Planning & Purchasing Supervisor / Manager to lead planning and procurement activities within a technical manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring material availability, supporting production continuity, optimizing inventory performance, managing supplier relationships, and driving supply chain execution across multiple manufacturing value streams. The position serves as a key partner to Supply Chain, Customer Service, Materials Management, Operations, Manufacturing, and external suppliers. The successful candidate will help balance supply and demand, mitigate supply chain risks, improve operational performance, and support the achievement of business objectives. This role includes leadership responsibility for Buyer/Planners, Purchasing, and Procurement personnel while maintaining close involvement in daily planning and purchasing operations. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. Responsibilities Lead planning and procurement activities to support manufacturing operations and customer requirements.Provide leadership and direction to Buyer/Planners, Purchasing personnel, and Procurement team members.Monitor material availability and develop action plans to support production continuity.Manage inventory strategies to balance customer demand, operational needs, and inventory investment.Support planning activities including forecasting, demand planning, capacity planning, and inventory management.Support purchasing activities as needed to ensure timely material acquisition and supplier responsiveness.Monitor supplier performance and collaborate with suppliers to improve quality, delivery, and service levels.Partner with Customer Service, Materials Management, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to resolve supply chain challenges.Identify, communicate, and escalate supply chain risks when appropriate.Develop and implement corrective actions to address material shortages, delivery concerns, and inventory issues.Analyze planning and purchasing performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.Support continuous improvement initiatives across planning, procurement, inventory, and supplier management functions.Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders regarding supply chain priorities and risks. Required Qualifications Demonstrated experience in production planning, purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management.Experience leading planning, procurement, or buyer/planner functions within a manufacturing environment.Experience managing supplier relationships and supplier performance.Knowledge of inventory management, forecasting, demand planning, and capacity planning principles.Experience supporting manufacturing operations through planning and procurement activities.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.Experience utilizing ERP systems to support planning, purchasing, and inventory management activities. Preferred Qualifications Experience with JD Edwards, SAP, or similar ERP systems.Experience supporting aerospace, medical device, or other regulated manufacturing environments.Experience working within ISO-regulated manufacturing environments.Experience operating within a Buyer/Planner organizational model.Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing or supply chain operations.Experience leading supply chain improvement initiatives.Experience managing inventory optimization and supply continuity programs.Experience collaborating across manufacturing, operations, customer service, materials management, and procurement functions. Leadership Competencies Team LeadershipSupplier Relationship ManagementPlanning & ForecastingInventory OptimizationOperational ExecutionRisk ManagementCross-Functional CollaborationCommunication & InfluenceStrategic Problem SolvingContinuous Improvement Work Environment This position operates within a collaborative manufacturing and supply chain environment supporting multiple production value streams. The role involves regular interaction with planning, purchasing, manufacturing, operations, customer service, materials management, and supplier teams. The position offers the opportunity to lead planning and procurement activities, influence operational performance, support business growth initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain organization. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Avon, CT. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $105000.00 - $120000.00/yr. Benefits & Perks Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance Well-being / wellness benefits 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting Tuition assistance Internal training and development Advancement opportunities (they specifically emphasized promoting from within) Generous PTO program Paid holidays (Erin mentioned 10 company holidays) Casual work environment PPE, safety eyewear, and shoe allowance Modern, climate-controlled facility Stable business growth and long-term career opportunities PTO / Time Off Erin mentioned their PTO program is "pretty rich" and is structured based on: Position level Years of service More senior hires may start at a higher PTO tier than standard employees. Bonus / Incentive Program Erin indicated there is a: Short-term incentive / bonus structure Multiple bonus tiers depending on role level and responsibility The exact bonus level for this role would be determined during offer discussions and based on whether the candidate is hired closer to the Supervisor or Manager level. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Avon,CT. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.