Buyer Planner

Lodge Cast Iron•South Pittsburg, TN

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the Buyer Planner position is on-site at the distribution center 3 days a week with 2 remote days. The Buyer Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely availability of materials to support production while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing supply chain disruptions. This position combines purchasing execution with inventory planning, demand analysis, supplier coordination, and data-driven decision making. The ideal candidate possesses the knowledge and skills to communicate with team members at every level of the company (such as Managers and Supervisors, Shipping and Receiving, Demand Planner, Marketing), and suppliers while using data to support planning and purchasing decisions.

Requirements

High School diploma required
2+ years in purchasing, planning, inventory control, or supply chain within manufacturing
Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, INDEX/MATCH, and dashboard reporting.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to analyze inventory, demand, and supply data to support business decisions.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred.
Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyze inventory levels, usage trends, and demand requirements to ensure material availability
Create and manage purchase orders to support production schedules and inventory targets.
Monitor supplier deliveries, lead times, and open orders to prevent material shortages.
Maintain planning parameters within the Excel/ERP/MRP system.
Review data recommendations and take appropriate purchasing actions.
Identify potential shortages, supply risks, and inventory imbalances and develop corrective action plans.
Work closely with Production, Operations, Engineering, and Customer Service to align material supply with business requirements.
Develop and maintain inventory, purchasing, and supplier performance reports.
Analyze inventory turns, excess inventory, slow-moving inventory, and stock-out trends.
Support new product introductions by coordinating material availability and supplier readiness.
Track and report key supply chain metrics including inventory levels, shortages, supplier performance, and material availability.
Utilize data analysis to improve planning accuracy, inventory efficiency, and overall supply chain performance.
Perform any and all other job related tasks as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive Pay
Generous Paid Time Off
Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life, and Short-Term Disability)
On-Site Clinic and Fitness Center
401K Match and Deferred Profit-Sharing Program
Quarterly Profit Sharing
Employee Assistance Program
Scholarship Opportunity and Tuition Reimbursement
$150 Boot Allowance
Employee Discount at Lodge Factory Store and Big Bad Breakfast
Safety, Holiday, and Celebration Events