Buyer/Planner Supervisor

Job Summary: This role is responsible for supervising the material planning and purchasing operations to ensure that critical processes run effectively and achieve organizational goals and performance KPIs. Responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities of the SCM team and coordination with other departments. Perform various analytical functions, which primarily involve ensuring a smooth material flow, responding to bottlenecks or problem areas with proposed solutions, while guaranteeing quality standards are maintained.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Develop and implement procurement strategies to maintain inventory at optimal levels and meet production schedules. Manage the overall MRP and ERP to forecast demand, ensure materials availability, and plan production schedules. Negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure advantageous terms, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards per company guidelines. Report identified market trends and supplier performance risks to the SCM Manager to mitigate disruptions and present opportunities for cost savings and supply chain efficiency improvements. Provide structure and instill teamwork with cross-functional teams, including production, quality assurance, and engineering, to ensure material specifications are met. Reinforce SCM policies and procedures to align with company standards. Train and develop the SCM team to provide growth, development, and longevity within the department.

Buyer Responsibilities: Purchasing: Negotiate contracts, place orders, and manage supplier relationships. Inventory Management: Oversee inventory levels, ensuring timely availability of materials. Risk Management: Assess supply chain risks and mitigate them. Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers. Product Life Cycle: Manage materials throughout the product life cycle.

Planner Responsibilities: Materials Requirements Planning (MRP): Confirm forecast demand, materials availability, and plan production schedules meet the necessary targets. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Verify systems in place to plan and allocate resources efficiently to support Production are effective. Advanced Planning (APQP): Lead collaboration activities cross-functionally on design and feasibility review, pre-production planning and trials, production part approval process, and production launch.

Competencies: Core competencies based on the role's grade and competency level.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience: A Bachelor's Degree in a technical field is preferred, along with 3-5 years of extensive experience in a manufacturing environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This role has direct supervisory responsibilities within Purchasing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Industry Certification such as APICS (Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success), CPIM (Certification in Production and Inventory Management), or SCM (Supply Chain Management) credentials is preferred. General knowledge of the scheduling process and material planning requirements. Good understanding of production operations, Quality System Procedures and SOPs, and continuous improvement/LEAN methods. Practical experience in production planning, production materials, forecasting, inventory management, supplier relationship management, and risk management is essential. Strong organizational and prioritization skills. Good analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to read and comprehend complex analytical instructions, correspondence, and memos. Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.

Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office 365 Proficient in MRP/ERP tools

Physical Demands and Work Environment: Office Environment Manufacturing Environment