International Buyer / Planner

Barco Products LLC • Waukesha, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Barco Products is a company dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences through high-quality products and personalized service, built on innovation and strong relationships. Since 1985, Barco has been a trusted industry leader in designing, manufacturing, and selling commercial site furnishings and amenities, including picnic tables, park benches, speed bumps, waste receptacles, and parking lot supplies. The International Buyer/Planner is responsible for the end-to-end supply chain of overseas finished goods, from supplier selection and production coordination to freight delivery and payment. This role involves negotiating costs and terms with overseas suppliers, coordinating logistics, and ensuring imported goods meet specifications, lead times, and cost targets. The International Buyer/Planner will serve as the primary point of contact for assigned overseas suppliers and collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, Production, and Sales teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, International Trade, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5+ years of experience in international purchasing, buying, or planning, including direct sourcing of finished goods from overseas suppliers (Asia sourcing experience preferred).
• Working knowledge of Incoterms, international payment methods (letters of credit, wire transfer, open account), and import/export documentation.
• Experience coordinating with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and 3PLs to manage ocean and air freight shipments.
• Strong negotiation skills with a demonstrated track record of achieving cost savings with overseas suppliers.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems for purchase order management and inventory planning; strong Excel skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures and time zones.

Nice To Haves

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification, or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).
• Experience sourcing from China, Vietnam, or other Southeast Asian manufacturing markets.
• Familiarity with U.S. Customs regulations, HTS classification, and Section 301 tariff requirements.
• Experience in a durable goods, industrial, or commercial products manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in a second language (Mandarin or Vietnamese a plus), or experience working with overseas agents/translators.

Responsibilities

• Source and manage a portfolio of overseas suppliers for finished goods, ensuring alignment with product specifications, cost targets, and quality standards.
• Place, track, and expedite international purchase orders, confirming production schedules and resolving order discrepancies.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, conducting regular business reviews and escalating performance issues as needed.
• Coordinate with suppliers throughout the production cycle to confirm capacity, monitor progress against production schedules, and flag delays early.
• Partner with Quality to establish inspection requirements (pre-production, in-line, and pre-shipment) and resolve nonconformance issues with suppliers.
• Track and report supplier lead times, on-time delivery, and fill-rate performance; drive corrective action plans for underperforming suppliers.
• Maintain accurate item master and supplier lead-time data in the ERP system to support planning accuracy.
• Negotiate unit costs, tooling costs, minimum order quantities, and payment terms with overseas suppliers to meet target margins.
• Conduct should-cost analysis and benchmark pricing to identify negotiation leverage and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead or support annual cost-reduction and dual-sourcing initiatives in partnership with Engineering and Quality.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders and customs brokers to schedule ocean and air shipments and ensure on-time delivery to the U.S.
• Manage shipping documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin) for accuracy and compliance.
• Track container and vessel schedules, proactively communicating delays or port congestion to Planning, Production, and Sales.
• Identify freight routing and consolidation opportunities to reduce landed cost and transit time.
• Ensure import transactions comply with U.S. Customs regulations, correct HTS classification, and applicable tariffs, including Section 301 duties.
• Maintain accurate HTS codes, country-of-origin records, and duty documentation for each SKU.
• Maintain supplier compliance files, including trade agreements, quality certifications, and social/ethical compliance documentation.
• Work with Finance and suppliers to ensure timely, accurate payments, including wire transfers, letters of credit, and open account terms.
• Reconcile supplier invoices against purchase orders and shipping documents; resolve pricing or quantity discrepancies.
• Monitor payment terms and foreign exchange exposure to support cash flow objectives.
• Support month-end accruals and cost reporting for open purchase orders and in-transit inventory.
• Develop and maintain purchase order and replenishment plans based on sales forecasts, safety stock targets, and supplier lead times.
• Balance inventory investment against service-level goals, identifying excess/obsolete risk and slow-moving SKUs.
• Partner with Sales and Demand Planning to align import purchasing with new product launches and promotional forecasts.
• Maintain min/max and reorder-point parameters in the ERP system to support automated planning.
• Serve as the key liaison between overseas suppliers and internal Engineering, Quality, Production, and Sales teams.
• Communicate order status, risks, and supply constraints clearly to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Identify and lead process improvements in sourcing, planning, and import logistics workflows.
• Support new product introduction by sourcing samples, confirming specifications, and establishing initial supply for new SKUs.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary + performance-based bonus/commission structure
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off, holidays, and sick leave
• Structured onboarding and in-house sales training program
• A mission-driven company committed to sustainability and environmentally responsible products

What This Job Offers

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