Buyer Planner

KARL STORZ • Auburn, MA

13d • $65,700 - $85,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Inventory Planner manages a portfolio of finished goods and oversees supply planning activities to ensure products are available in the right place at the right time while balancing customer service, inventory levels, and cost. The role works across Demand Planning, Marketing, Product Management, Logistics, Quality, Customer Service, and suppliers to translate demand requirements into actionable supply plans and identify opportunities to improve service and reduce waste.

The position is based in Auburn, Massachusetts, and follows a hybrid work schedule. Travel is up to 10%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2–4 years of relevant experience with direct or transferable skills, or 8 years of directly related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Strong analytical, organizational, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer and systems skills, with the ability to work effectively with data.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly as business and supply requirements change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and with suppliers.
• Results-oriented and self-motivated approach, with strong time-management skills.
• Ability to balance customer service needs with inventory and financial objectives.
• Strong cross-functional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving supply, inventory, and supplier issues.
• Ability to translate demand and inventory data into timely purchasing and supply decisions.
• Flexibility and composure when priorities, demand patterns, and supply conditions change.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• SAP experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage supply planning and inventory for an assigned portfolio of finished goods, maintaining appropriate stock coverage and customer service levels.
• Collaborate with Demand Planning, Marketing, and Product Management to develop and execute demand and supply plans.
• Create and manage purchase orders, taking into account lead times, order quantities, pricing, volume discounts, and supplier capabilities.
• Monitor supplier commitments and proactively expedite or adjust deliveries as demand and inventory needs change.
• Partner with Transportation, Warehouse, Quality, Customer Service, and Accounts Payable to resolve shipment, receiving, product, order, and invoice issues.
• Monitor inventory and supplier performance measures, including fill rates, days of coverage, backorders, excess and obsolete inventory, inventory turns, and supplier performance.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities that increase efficiency, improve service levels, and reduce waste.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level