Purchasing & Planning Manager

Vontas•Cedar Rapids, IA

About The Position

The Purchasing & Planning Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all activities within the Purchasing/Planning department. This role manages team priorities, workflows, schedules, and plays a key part in talent acquisition, development, and succession planning. The manager collaborates across departments to identify material and equipment needs, assesses current and future material availability, and integrates industry best practices to optimize procurement and planning processes. The manager is accountable for departmental performance, driving innovation, resolving escalated supplier issues, and maintaining effective material scheduling strategies to support production requirements while minimizing costs and risks. This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Production Operations

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proven ability to solve complex problems, prioritize competing demands, and maintain accuracy through exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related software(s).
Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of groups including but not limited too Production, Engineering, Project/Product Management, and Sales.
Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate when appropriate.
Excels at time management and thrives progressing multiple projects simultaneously through prioritization and delegation.
Post-secondary education in the area of Business Administration, Commerce, Management, or related field and/or equivalent combination of education/experience.
Equivalent combination in lieu of degree would include an additional three (3) years of related experience in a related managerial titled role.
Minimum of Two (2) years of managerial experience required.
Minimum of Three (3) years of supply chain and/or purchasing required.
Net Suite ERP set up and execution experience in material requirements planning and purchasing areas.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer/laptop.
Ability to travel up to 15% of the time (including domestic and international), sometimes for extended periods, which may involve sitting during transit and walking at various locations.
Must be able to life up to 15 pounds at a time.
Must be able to handle high utilization of hand and wrist dexterity.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in procurement compliance, tariff governance, and supplier diversity (DBE) initiatives in alignment with federal and contractual requirements.

Responsibilities

Managing inventory, ensuring data accuracy in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems, and implementing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and leadership to identify needs and requirements for equipment, materials, products, and acceptable substitutions.
Assesses current material availability; reasonably predicts future availability based on the market, delivery systems, and other variables.
Prepares and presents current market conditions and integrates industry best practices to achieve best results.
Resolves escalated grievances with vendors, contractors, and suppliers.
Identify ideal suppliers based on quality, cost, and reliability.
Analyze existing purchasing and planning processes for performance and implement improvements.
Manage inventory and operational risk and ensure that contingency plans are in place.
Oversee the functionality of the MRP system, ensuring data integrity and timely resolution of system-related issues.
Ensure material scheduling strategies and processes are in place and functioning effectively to meet production requirements with minimum inventory levels and optimizing costs.
Take ownership of material planning challenges, including over or under delivery and lead follow up actions, particularly in the event of material shortages that affect production.
Champion procurement compliance and supplier diversity programs, including tariff governance, disadvantaged business reviews, and adherence to federal and customer-specific regulations.
Support Vontas leadership in ensuring proactive risk management and alignment of purchasing practices with organizational and regulatory requirements.
Other duties as assigned.