Senior Planner

Position Summary

The Master Planner / Buyer is responsible for end-to-end master planning, scheduling, and purchasing of production materials. This role performs forward-looking demand analysis against backlog, sales forecast, and historical consumption and ensures optimal inventory levels and on-time material availability.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

• Master Planning & Scheduling

• Perform master planning against backlog, forecast, and historical consumption to project demand beyond the supplier lead-time horizon.
• Establish and maintain Plan-for-Every-Part (PFEP) parameters: lead time, MOQ, safety stock, reorder points, and order policy.
• Conduct rough-cut capacity reviews and actively participate in S&OP / SIOP cycles.
• Translate the master plan into a Master Production Schedule (MPS) and detailed material plans, releasing planned orders accordingly.
• Analyze demand forecasts, production plans, and inventory levels to prevent shortages or excess stock.
• Monitor material availability and proactively resolve supply constraints.

• Purchasing & Vendor Management

• Issue purchase orders in accordance with MRP signals, contracts, and company policies.
• Lead supplier negotiations on price, lead time, MOQ, payment terms, and contract terms; drive lead-time reduction initiatives and cost-saving opportunities.
• Own supplier scorecards (on-time delivery, quality PPM, NCR rate, responsiveness) and conduct Quarterly Business Reviews with key vendors.
• Drive Corrective Action Plans (8D / CAPA) when suppliers miss performance targets; track containment, root cause, and verification of effectiveness.
• Identify single-source risks and develop qualified second sources in partnership with Engineering and Quality; maintain a supplier risk register for critical commodities.
• Partner with Quality on supplier onboarding, supplier audits, ISO compliance verification, first-article approvals, and supplier agreements.
• Lead recovery efforts when vendors miss commits—pull-ins, alternate sourcing, premium freight decisions, and customer-impact communication.
• Monitor contract expirations, payment terms, MOQ/lead-time clauses, and price-change notifications; push back on unjustified price increases with data.
• Maintain accurate vendor master data in Oracle ERP (lead times, MOQs, prices, certifications) so MRP signals reflect reality.

• Inventory Management

• Maintain optimal inventory levels while meeting service and production requirements.
• Analyze inventory turns, excess/obsolete inventory, and slow-moving materials.
• Support cycle counts, inventory accuracy initiatives, and root cause analysis of discrepancies.

• Corporate Purchasing Coordination (Milpitas)

• Coordinate with the Milpitas corporate purchasing team to leverage bulk purchasing agreements, consolidated contracts, and preferred-vendor programs.
• Identify Tucson-specific spend that can be rolled into corporate buys for improved pricing leverage.
• Escalate vendor and contract issues to Milpitas where corporate-level intervention is appropriate.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to align material plans with production needs.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and phase-in/phase-out activities.
• Communicate material status, risks, and mitigation plans to internal stakeholders.

• Continuous Improvement & Compliance

• Identify opportunities for process improvements in planning, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support audits and maintain accurate documentation and system data integrity.

Qualifications

• Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Experience

• 3–7 years of experience in planning and buying within a manufacturing environment, with at least 2 years in a buyer/purchaser capacity and 2 years in planning/MRP.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle ERP preferred, including MRP modules, item master maintenance, purchasing transactions, and standard procurement reports.

• Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and problem-solve in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of procurement best practices, including PO-to-pay cycle, three-way match, blanket vs. discrete POs, Kanban/min-max replenishment, consignment, and VMI.
• Negotiation skills with vendors on price, lead time, MOQ, payment terms, and contract terms.
• Contract literacy: terms & conditions, NDAs, blanket POs, and scheduling agreements.
• Familiarity with Incoterms and basic import/logistics concepts.
• Data fluency beyond Excel: pivot tables, Power BI.
• Capacity planning, S&OP/SIOP participation, and ability to translate executive demand signals into actionable plans.
• ECCO discipline, including revision control and obsolete-stock disposition decisions.
• Conflict management and the ability to influence cross-functionally without direct authority.
• Awareness of regulatory and trade compliance.
• Adherence to company ethics, conflict-of-interest, and gifts policy in all vendor interactions.

• Preferred Qualifications

• APICS/ASCM CPIM strongly preferred (required within 18 months of hire); CSCP a plus.
• ISM CPSM or CPSD certification (purchasing-side) a plus.
• Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.

Why Join Onto Innovation?

At Onto Innovation, we believe your work should matter—and so should your well-being. That’s why we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. From health, dental, and vision coverage to life and disability insurance, PTO, and a 401(k) with employer match, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also enjoy access to our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), wellness initiatives, and cutting-edge tools—all within a collaborative, inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and recognized.

Compensation & Growth

Base Salary Range: $73,600.00 - $110,400.00, offered in good faith and based on experience, location, and qualifications. Additional Rewards: Annual bonus opportunities and potential long-term incentives tied to both company and individual success.

Important Note on Export Compliance

For certain positions requiring access to technical data, U.S. export licensing review may be necessary for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other protected persons under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).