PLANNER, JR/BUYER

Valcor Engineering Corporation•Springfield Township, NJ

5d•$75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Jr. Planner/Buyer supports planning and purchasing by analyzing inventory data, preparing purchase orders, tracking deliveries, and communicating with suppliers. The role helps maintain accurate stock levels, supports production needs, and contributes to cost-effective procurement decisions. It performs production-planning activities through the MRP/ERP system, including releasing work orders to the shop floor and generating material requisitions for manufacturing operations. The position manages purchasing and inventory planning by forecasting demand, placing purchase orders, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring materials arrive on time while controlling costs and stock levels. It supports the flow of materials across Procurement, Receiving, Manufacturing, Assembly, Inspection, and Shipping, coordinating internal processes and supplier interactions to meet production schedules and customer delivery commitments. The role also identifies and helps resolve issues that could affect material movement or production timelines, maintaining action-item lists and keeping stakeholders informed of risks and progress.

Requirements

High school or technical/vocational school degree required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and digital procurement tools.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Ability to occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25–30 lbs.
Regular use of a computer, keyboard, and standard office equipment.
All candidates must meet the US persons criteria.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience in a fast-paced precision production environment.
Knowledge of production control systems, component and assembled products, and manufacturing processes.
Understanding of MRP/ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Epicor.
Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, and supplier quality management systems.
Understanding of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and government contracting principles.
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field, and/or equivalent experience.
Ability to travel occasionally to suppliers or company sites as needed.

Responsibilities

Route and expedite raw materials, components, engineering documents, blueprints, and other items between departments to maintain uninterrupted project flow.
Revise and reschedule orders to meet team priorities as directed by a Planner or Project Manager.
Compile and prepare reports tracking material movements and provide updates to Project Managers and Planners.
Coordinate with the team and area owners to provide timely, accurate responses to actions supporting deliverables.
Work with area owners to prioritize schedules, prevent extended delays, and keep high-priority jobs moving through production.
Report production issues or irregularities to the project team or assigned Planner.
Update jobs for scrap and engineering revisions to keep hardware in production at the latest configuration.
Recommend improvements to processes, procedures, personnel, equipment, and other areas that may improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Work with Project and Planning Teams, Assembly, Machine Shop, and Inventory Control to meet production goals and on-time delivery commitments.
Coordinate with area owners to prepare schedules and reports and maintain files and other required records.
Follow up on late shipments and resolve supply issues.
Analyze inventory data, prepare purchase orders, track deliveries, and communicate with suppliers.
Perform production planning through the MRP/ERP system, including releasing work orders and generating material requisitions.
Forecast demand, place purchase orders, and coordinate suppliers to ensure timely material availability while controlling costs and stock levels.
Identify and resolve issues that may affect material movement or production timelines, maintain action-item lists, and communicate risks and progress.