Buyer/ Planner II

northwoodspace•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood. We are seeking a Buyer/Planner II to own both procurement and material planning across production and new product introduction (NPI) programs. This role is critical to ensuring hardware is built on time and at scale, with direct impact on our ability to deploy next generation space communication systems. You will own the full material lifecycle from demand through delivery, combining planning and purchasing to drive speed, accountability, and execution. Working at the intersection of supply chain, engineering, and operations, you will translate rapidly evolving designs into clear material requirements and ensure parts are on hand to support build and test without delay. This role requires operating in ambiguity, making fast decisions with incomplete data, and proactively solving supply constraints before they impact hardware. You will be expected to take ownership of your programs, drive suppliers to meet aggressive timelines, and continuously improve how we plan and procure as we scale. If you are energized by ownership, fast paced environments, and seeing your decisions translate into real hardware in the field, we would love to hear from you.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in purchasing, material planning, or supply chain in a manufacturing environment
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle)
Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, basic data analysis)
Experience managing purchase orders and supplier relationships
Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Startup or high-growth environment experience
Experience supporting NPI or prototype builds
Background in aerospace, satellite, telecommunications, or defense industries
Familiarity with PCBAs, electromechanical assemblies, or complex hardware systems
Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP platforms
Advanced competency in SQL and MS Excel
Exposure to MRP planning concepts and execution

Responsibilities

Own purchasing and planning activities for assigned commodities and/or product lines
Place and manage purchase orders, ensuring alignment with production schedules and demand signals
Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules; proactively mitigate risks and shortages
Support material planning for production and NPI builds, including prototype and low-volume programs
Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure timely material availability for builds and tests
Maintain and update ERP system data (item masters, lead times, planning parameters, BOMs as needed)
Execute MRP signals and act on planned orders, reschedules, and cancellations
Track inventory levels and support cycle counts, excess/obsolete mitigation, and inventory optimization
Assist in supplier communications including RFQs, order confirmations, and delivery follow-ups
Support continuous improvement of procurement and planning processes and tools
Help identify long-lead items and drive early procurement strategies for NPI programs