Buyer Planner

Wabtec•Kansas City, MO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Buyer Planner manages the buying process for a defined set of products while maintaining compliance with Wabtec sourcing policies. The role works with external suppliers and internal Wabtec teams to support quality, cost effectiveness, on-time delivery, reliable production supply, inventory optimization, reduced premium transportation costs, and improved supplier performance. The Buyer Planner also collaborates with the Sourcing Commodity Manager on cost-out initiatives and supplier selection in support of commodity sourcing strategy. The position is based at 4800 Deramus Ave, Kansas City, Missouri, and is required to be on-site five days per week during the scheduled shift. It is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional work on the shop floor or visits to other manufacturing sites. The role involves frequent computer and phone use and may occasionally require handling parts. Wabtec describes itself as a global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and services for freight and transit rail, with about 30,000 employees worldwide. It emphasizes continuous improvement, inclusion, and equal opportunity.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or at least five years of procurement or sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience working effectively with suppliers, managing purchase orders, and ensuring supplier on-time delivery to meet production requirements.
Experience with supplier selection and supplier partnerships using performance KPI metrics.
Ability to generate comprehensive Supplier Request for Quotation packages.
Ability to perform thorough cost analysis comparing current total cost with total cost in new supplier quotations.
Supplier negotiation skills.
Foundational knowledge of supply chain management principles and commodity sourcing strategies.
Ability to work with complex material flows.
Strong understanding of ERP/MRP fundamentals, including purchase order signals, reschedule signals, planning parameters, transactional accuracy, and effects on inventory control.
Ability to interpret and work with technical specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.
Understanding of Bill of Material structures and BOM costs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and ability to learn software quickly.
Professional, concise verbal and written communication skills for interactions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to build trusted supplier and team relationships.
Organization, a drive for continuous improvement, and ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Ability to work on-site five days per week during the scheduled shift.
Ability to sit and work at a desk for extended periods; occasional talking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds when handling parts.

Nice To Haves

Experience in railroad, aerospace, automotive, or other heavy industrial manufacturing or remanufacturing sectors.

Responsibilities

Evaluate MRP supply and demand signals for buy parts and create purchase orders.
Establish stocking strategies and maintain buy-part planning parameters.
Manage supplier relationships to ensure purchase orders are acknowledged, dates are maintained, and shipments arrive on time.
Expedite parts when shortages or short-cycle demand arise, and work with suppliers on recovery plans.
Manage new supplier setup and supplier maintenance through the HICX portal.
Manage ERP sourcing rules and quotation accuracy to facilitate Auto-PO where applicable.
Communicate daily with production about shortages and recovery plans.
Manage transportation costs and work to avoid premium air shipments.
Right-size inventory by reducing excess and evaluating shortages.
Work with Quality and Engineering to address supplier non-conforming parts.
Assess supplier capabilities and recommend supplier selections.
Support the Sourcing Manager with inflation/deflation goals and execution of commodity strategy.
Serve as the primary accounts payable/receivable contact for the supply base.
Support the warehouse by ensuring healthy inventory levels are maintained to meet demand.
Occasionally conduct buy-part inventory counts and execute physical inventory adjustments in the ERP system.
Maintain key indicators for fulfillment, planning, and inventory.
Collaborate with the Supply Chain Manager, Operations, Quality, Engineering, Sourcing Manager, Operational Excellence teams, suppliers, and other Wabtec sites.
Follow required safety procedures, including use of PPE, when visiting shop or production areas.