Sr Planner Buyer

AFL Telecommunications•Duncan, SC

22h

About The Position

The Senior Buyer is responsible for planning and purchasing raw materials to support manufacturing, managing the supplier base, and executing the Supply Chain organization’s business plan. The role balances material availability and cost while supporting production requirements and annual business unit objectives. The position manages purchasing documentation and vendor relationships, monitors inventory and supplier performance, addresses supply issues, and develops initiatives to improve quality, delivery, service, and costs. It also supports continuous improvement through reporting, supplier evaluations, market research, and the development of additional sources for raw materials.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Business, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
2–5 years of experience in material planning and purchasing; telecommunications industry experience is preferred.
Experience in supplier and contract negotiation.
Solid understanding of materials operations, materials planning, and inventory control in a lean manufacturing environment.
Experience using manufacturing-related modules in Oracle R11 or higher.
Intermediate or higher proficiency with MS Office.
Strong analytical, time-management, and writing skills.
Strong interpersonal influence and ability to build business partnerships.
Self-starter with integrity and confidence who can pursue challenging objectives with limited supervision.
Team player with well-developed interpersonal skills and comfort leading in a cross-functional, multicultural environment.
Results-oriented approach, including the ability to solve problems and implement change.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues simply to all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

Telecommunications industry experience.
Potential to grow into positions of increasing responsibility based on results and capabilities.

Responsibilities

Plan and procure raw materials to support production requirements.
Deliver assigned supply chain objectives in support of the annual business unit plan while balancing material availability against cost.
Analyze and adjust inventory levels in response to changes in customer demand, lead times, and other initiatives.
Create and maintain requisitions, purchase orders, and acknowledgements, and resolve invoice issues.
Work with vendors on price negotiation, material availability, delivery timing, and supplier visits.
Ensure purchase orders are clearly defined, entered, and updated accurately and on time.
Improve supplier delivery, quality, and service.
Communicate supplier delivery, quality, service, or pricing problems to vendors and resolve them promptly.
Document production delays caused by raw materials or the use of alternate materials.
Develop and implement a supplier quality evaluation program tailored to identify improvement areas for each supplier.
Prepare metrics reports with a focus on continuous improvement.
Pursue inventory and cost-reduction initiatives.
Update cost-savings reports monthly or as required to support business objectives.
Research and establish contacts with potential vendors to develop additional or new raw-material sources.
Research and track market trends for assigned commodities to predict cost changes.