Procurement Buyer/Planner

Freshpet, Inc.•Bethlehem, PA

56d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH! What You Will Do Analyze material usage considering demand from departments outside of production such as R&D and Innovation Daily use of Excel to analyze materials for purchasing decisions Manage materials with widely varied shelf life with some as short as 5 days Place purchase orders with suppliers for the procurement of production material as required by forecast and the production schedule. Monitor status of open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of all materials, including timely resolution, communication and mitigation of future potential problems Expedite or defer orders as required based on schedule/inventory changes Maintain optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and material lead times Coordinate material flows throughout product/BOM changes, obsolescence, and the introduction of new suppliers and/or materials due to new product development Manage the inter-company flow of materials between warehouse locations Manage and resolve issues regarding PO to invoice discrepancies, returns and quality problems with suppliers Collaborate with internal customers and provide a high level of customer service, including recommending solutions, resources, and alternative supply options

Requirements

BS/BA (required) Concentration in Supply Chain, Business (preferred)
5-7 years of experience in a buyer/planner/material scheduler role working for a direct manufacturer (required)
Microsoft Dynamics D365 experience (preferred)
Expert applied knowledge of forecasting, MRP, transportation, supply chain, inventory management and warehousing disciplines
A foundational understanding of manufacturing process
Proficiency with MS Office suite - advanced skills with MS Excel
Strong sense of urgency & attention to detail
Excellent organization, communication, and follow-up skills
Extremely high standards of excellence
Ability to self-direct and take constructive action in ambiguous situations

Responsibilities

Analyze material usage considering demand from departments outside of production such as R&D and Innovation
Daily use of Excel to analyze materials for purchasing decisions
Manage materials with widely varied shelf life with some as short as 5 days
Place purchase orders with suppliers for the procurement of production material as required by forecast and the production schedule.
Monitor status of open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of all materials, including timely resolution, communication and mitigation of future potential problems
Expedite or defer orders as required based on schedule/inventory changes
Maintain optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and material lead times
Coordinate material flows throughout product/BOM changes, obsolescence, and the introduction of new suppliers and/or materials due to new product development
Manage the inter-company flow of materials between warehouse locations
Manage and resolve issues regarding PO to invoice discrepancies, returns and quality problems with suppliers
Collaborate with internal customers and provide a high level of customer service, including recommending solutions, resources, and alternative supply options
Provide back-up support for supply chain functions including shipping, receiving, material handling and other duties as assigned
Setup & maintain material master system planning parameters (MOQ, lead time, safety stocks)
Effectively communicate via email, phone call, Microsoft Teams video meetings, etc. with inside teams as well as outside suppliers
Continuous training and information sharing in ERP system
Ensure and promote compliance to Company and Procurement policies and procedures
Influence others & manage conflict
Employ an analytical and methodical approach to problem solving