Buyer/Planner

Crecera Brands•Park Township, MI

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Stow Company is seeking a Buyer/Planner located in Holland, MI. This is a hybrid role responsible for regionally supporting sourcing, planning, negotiating, and purchasing of direct/indirect materials and services for assigned commodities to meet the company’s operational requirements and customer demand. The role involves monitoring purchase price variance, making recommendations for cost updates and price reduction opportunities, and assisting in material management of raw materials and/or component parts to manufacturing locations. This includes ensuring timely shipment, accurate receipt and storage, and communicating with the supply base on supply issues, internal partners on quality and inventory issues, and transportation teams for in-transit event tracking.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in supply chain or operations
Minimum of 3-5 years in planning, supply chain and/or operations experience
Knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain concepts and parts flow
Effective at developing and using standardized work
Understanding of lean concepts
Experience in scenario planning and/or forecast modeling
Understands and employs basic change management methodology
Uses logic and problem-solving tools to develop plans to meet targets and look forward proactively and to prioritize
Can lead conversations with suppliers in a proactive, productive manner
Proficiency in MS Excel required
Beginning/Intermediate understanding of AI tools and concepts
Intermediate/Advanced experience in ERP systems, preferably SAP
Interpersonal skills in order to work effectively with individuals both internally and externally to The Stow Company
Must have excellent customer service skills; including strong written and verbal communication skills
Must have the ability to interface with all levels of personnel in an office and a manufacturing environment
Ability to take the initiative and work well independently with little supervision, and as part of a team

Nice To Haves

APICS training/advanced certification preferred

Responsibilities

Supports a streamlined procurement process (from RFQ to Receipt) that focuses on solid communications between Stow employees and suppliers
Evaluates potential new suppliers for assigned commodities and plant
Negotiates contracts, improved prices and terms of business with suppliers and reviews opportunities to achieve savings
Provides sourcing recommendations to management for review and approval with a TCO mindset
Purchases direct/indirect materials, components or services in line with specified quality, delivery, and cost targets
Ensures the best continuous supply of required goods and materials
Researches and evaluates areas of opportunity and reduces costs where possible
Places blanket purchase agreements, long term contracts, tooling purchase orders, spot buys, etc.
Analyzes material requirements and initiates appropriate vendor material release schedules.
Maintains inventory levels to ensure an uninterrupted supply of material while at the same time, operating within established ordering rule constraints
Continuously monitors ongoing material requirements
Coordinates external logistics with suppliers to minimize inbound costs
Reviews excess and obsolete inventory and provides management recommendation for disposition
Focuses on continuous improvement to manage supply at the most efficient cost
Assists with stock transfer between plants
Manages supplier capacity constraints to support S&OP rough cut capacity inputs
Leads supplier quality issues for assigned commodities
Supports a highly dynamic supply base which complements Stow’s goals & objectives
Delivers and updates reports as required (Variance analysis, Budget forecasts, KPI updates, Supplier Scorecards, etc.)
Establishes and maintains a professional working relationship with supply base
Supports vendor material planners when necessary to resolve routine issues such as past-due POs, match exceptions, discrepancies with freight charges and freight billings, price/invoice issue resolution, updating/incrementing POs, etc.
Analyzes and report significant vendor delivery problems to department manager
Participates in implementation of engineering changes and new model introductions leading procurement activities
Lives Company values on a daily basis.
Poses no direct threat to the health or safety of themselves, of others, or to property.
Requires regular attendance to perform essential elements as contained herein between the assigned start and end times for work.
Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Corporation and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities