Planner / Buyer III

Galvion LTD•Newport City, VT

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Planner / Buyer is responsible for planning, purchasing, and coordinating the supply of raw materials, components, and indirect goods and services to support production and operational continuity. The role serves as a bridge across Production, Quality, R&D, and Master Planning, overseeing purchase order execution, supplier performance, critical-delivery expediting, and inventory levels. It also supports supplier development, cost-reduction initiatives, and continuous process improvements aligned with quality standards, production schedules, and business objectives. The position uses ERP/MRP systems to plan material requirements, maintain accurate purchasing and planning data, manage supplier commitments, and coordinate inventory needs. It monitors supplier delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness, addresses performance issues, and helps mitigate supply-chain risks. The role also supports compliance, Lean activities, RMAs, and Supplier Corrective Action Requests. The work is office-based within a manufacturing facility and requires on-site presence five days per week. The Planner / Buyer regularly interacts with internal cross-functional teams and coordinates with suppliers.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in purchasing, material planning, or a related supply-chain function.
Associate’s degree required.
Strong understanding of MRP processes and factors affecting MRP accuracy and efficiency.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Experience using ERP operating software.
Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
Experience with Lean initiatives.
Familiarity with ISO requirements.
Self-motivated, proactive, and attentive to detail.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to learn new products, materials, and processes quickly.
Ability to work effectively across departments as a team player.
Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.
Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Economics, or a related field.
Experience with Infor or D365 ERP software.
Experience purchasing injection plastic components, soft goods, and raw materials.
Military experience.

Responsibilities

Review MRP requirements and coordinate purchases for production, maintenance, R&D, and office needs.
Coordinate with the Senior Planner/Master Planner and Inventory team to maintain appropriate stock levels and prevent shortages or overstock.
Analyze material demands and determine purchasing and inventory requirements.
Obtain supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, freight, and other purchasing conditions.
Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers.
Create, place, and maintain purchase orders in the ERP system.
Monitor open purchase orders and track supplier commitments and incoming receipts; take corrective action when needed.
Expedite late or critical materials and communicate revised receipt dates and delivery risks to stakeholders.
Provide Production and other internal stakeholders with material availability updates and provide management with a weekly purchase order status report.
Purchase materials, tooling, molds, dies, equipment, and equipment revisions as required.
Communicate purchasing outcomes and supplier commitments to internal customers.
Reconcile discrepancies between supplier shipments, purchase orders, and invoices.
Use ERP/MRP systems to coordinate material requirements and collaborate on inventory needs.
Maintain accurate planning and purchasing data, including supplier lead times, standard costs, shelf life, lot sizes, minimum order quantities, and receipt dates.
Identify and address system or data issues that may affect MRP accuracy or efficiency.
Support inventory forecasting, supplier replenishment, supplier demand planning, and supplier capacity planning.
Assist the Material Coordinator and Inventory team in maintaining appropriate levels of regularly used materials.
Develop supplier partnerships for purchased materials, including supplier stocking programs where applicable.
Monitor supplier on-time delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness, and other performance indicators; provide and follow up on supplier performance metrics.
Work with suppliers to implement corrective actions and sustain or improve performance.
Participate in purchasing and freight cost-reduction initiatives and implement cost-effective purchasing strategies without compromising quality or reliability.
Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, purchasing costs, inventory levels, and procurement effectiveness.
Identify supply-chain risks, communicate potential impacts, and support contingency planning for supply disruptions.
Evaluate supplier capability and capacity when new demands arise.
Recommend improvements to purchasing and planning systems and processes; participate in Lean and continuous-improvement activities.
Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant regulations, company policies, and ethical standards.
Work with suppliers and Quality on Return Material Authorization activities.
Support Supplier Corrective Action Requests, including follow-up on supplier responses and corrective actions.