Sr Planner Buyer

AFL•Duncan, SC

About The Position

The Senior Planner Buyer is responsible for planning and purchasing raw materials in support of manufacturing, managing the supplier base, and executing the Supply Chain organization’s business plan. The role balances material availability with cost, responds to changing demand and lead times, and works with suppliers to improve delivery, quality, and service. It also supports cost and inventory reduction, supplier quality evaluation, and ongoing supply chain improvement.

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.
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 achieve challenging objectives with limited supervision.
Team player with well-developed interpersonal skills and comfort leading in a cross-functional, multicultural environment.
Results-oriented problem-solving skills and ability to implement change.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues simply to people at all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the telecommunications industry.

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 changing 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, accurately entered, and updated in a timely manner.
Improve supplier delivery, quality, and service, and promptly communicate and resolve related problems.
Document production delays caused by raw materials or the use of alternate materials.
Develop and implement a supplier quality evaluation program tailored to identify opportunities for supplier improvement.
Prepare metrics reports with a focus on continuous improvement.
Pursue inventory and cost-reduction initiatives.
Update cost-savings reports monthly or as needed to support business objectives.
Research and establish contacts with potential vendors to develop additional or new sources for raw materials.
Research and track market trends for assigned commodities to predict cost changes.