About the position
Today, Lonza is one of the world's largest healthcare manufacturing organizations operating across five continents. While we work in science, there's no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is dedicated people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that's the kind of work we want to be part of! The Buyer/ Planner will be responsible for performing all duties to ensure that the material requirements plans are completed and ensure the timely availability of materials to support the product supply plan. This person is also responsible to partner with all key functions to ensure timely updates to material plans considering changes to plans or material availability issues, and the execution of key tasks to support inventory plans and optimization initiatives. The Buyer/Planner will be responsible for proactively leading the performance of raw material suppliers, ensuring that the Material Requirement Plan can be realized, and ensuring relevant procurement master data is available and maintained in SAP so the material requirements plan (MRP) can be calculated reliably, and the PO creation process can be as effective as possible. Support the category manager and strategic buyers to implement their supply strategies and collaborate closely with accounts payable to resolve invoice queries.
Responsibilities
- Complete all routine tasks to convert planned orders into material plans including the creation and management of material plan requirements
- Liase with supply planner and schedulers to ensure all material plans are up to date and responsive to changes in material requirements
- Creation and maintenance of detailed material planning parameters in planning systems
- Convert the materials requirements plan (purchase requisitions) into purchase orders
- Create and manage material-related critical metrics to ensure accurate understanding of materials availability
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree is a plus, especially in Supply Chain or Business Management. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
- Minimum 2+ years' experience buying and planning.
- APICS or equivalent MRP Planner certificate preferred.
- Hands on experience using SAP ERP in a purchasing/procurement role.
- Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to present ideas in a clear and concise manner.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to define metrics (KPIs) and identify issues through root cause analysis.
- Competent using MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to use Business Intelligence systems to extract data and generate reports.
- Customer service approach and ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Positive attitude with a willingness to learn new skills.
- Experience and knowledge of both Operational Procurement and Purchasing of Direct (raw materials) (e.g. Purchase Requisitions to Purchase order process).
- Experience conducting competitive bid processes.
- Experience managing vendors and carrying out low value negotiations.
