Sr Buyer Planner

Baxter International Inc.•Aibonito, PR

About The Position

The Sr Buyer Planner is responsible for planning, procurement, inventory optimization, and supplier management to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations while meeting service, inventory, and financial objectives. The role collaborates with Operations, Quality, Finance, Logistics, and suppliers to support production requirements, mitigate supply risks, drive continuous improvement, and achieve business goals using ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making. The role also manages customer orders (IPSO) and communications, leads or implements MIP and process-improvement projects, and purchases assigned materials, equipment, and supplies while optimizing inventory and production capabilities. The position manages purchasing and planning cycles, supplier performance, inventory and capacity planning, procurement data, and supply-chain risk mitigation. It also supports EHS inspections and procedures, project planning, privacy and confidentiality requirements, Zone control meetings, and Gemba walks. The listed physical demand classification is Light Work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in Material Planning, Supply Planning, Procurement, or Manufacturing Supply Chain.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Strong knowledge and experience in Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Capacity Planning, Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, MRP Planning, Inventory Optimization, and supply-chain analytics.
Physical demands classified as Light Work: exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, and a negligible amount constantly; the work may require significant walking or standing, pushing or pulling controls, or working at a production-rate pace.

Nice To Haves

APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.
Experience with ERP systems and advanced supply-chain analytics.
Experience leveraging Kinaxis Rapid Response and Advanced Excel for data-driven decision-making and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Complete purchasing-cycle activities for assigned materials based on Rapid Response analysis, including specifying quality revisions when applicable, communicating transportation logistics, indicating ship dates, and expediting materials to support manufacturing operations.
Maintain inventory and turns goals and make changes as needed to achieve them.
Execute the planning process to maintain required inventory and partner with warehouse traffic or logistics to ensure products or materials are delivered to the site.
Monitor Purchase Price Variance for assigned parts and develop strategies to eliminate or minimize negative effects.
Control inbound freight expenses by following the current Baxter traffic routing guide and monitoring reports for deviations.
Provide accurate purchase, stock, and inbound-material information to Operations or end users.
Work with Supplier Quality on incoming-material quality issues and take necessary actions to avoid operational impact.
Hold routine meetings with key suppliers or customers to review quality, unit price, transportation-logistics adherence, delivery-date compliance, and cost-reduction opportunities.
Participate in annual contract reviews and yearly open-order negotiations as required.
Coordinate effective and timely returns of defective materials to suppliers.
Maintain accurate purchasing files for active orders, including logs when applicable.
Comply with applicable Baxter Corporate Purchasing Guidelines.
Prepare analyses of shortages and supplier delivery non-compliance.
Prepare monthly purchasing and planning activity reports, including estimated savings and cost avoidance.
Participate in MRB meetings and report on excess and obsolescence risks, excess inventory, and applicable branch-plant inventory.
Develop business relationships with key suppliers and customers.
Complete daily, monthly, and yearly planning-cycle activities for assigned products.
Maintain required planning parameters and perform capacity analysis as required, providing volumes to stakeholders.
Meet service and inventory targets.
Conduct EHS inspections to identify and correct safety hazards and environmental aspects; follow applicable EHS procedures and analyze incidents, including near misses, to identify causes and take corrective action.
Manage complex projects, identify required resources, and develop project plans.
Observe data privacy and confidentiality rules.
Participate in Zone control meetings and perform assigned Gemba walks.
Identify supply-chain risks, including single-source suppliers, capacity constraints, transportation disruptions, and material shortages.
Develop and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply and minimize manufacturing interruptions.
Maintain planning and procurement master data, including lead times, safety-stock parameters, sourcing information, and supplier records, in the Rapid Response (Maestro) system.
Ensure material-planning data integrity to support accurate MRP and purchasing outputs.
Manage customer orders (IPSO) and related communications.
Lead or implement projects related to MIP or process improvements.
Purchase assigned materials, equipment, and supplies while optimizing inventory and production capabilities.

Benefits

Medical and dental coverage starting on day one.
Basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employee contributions and company matching.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Educational assistance programs.
Paid holidays and paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service.
Family and medical leaves of absence.
Paid parental leave.
Commuting benefits.
Employee Discount Program.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Childcare benefits.