Sr. Buyer/Planner

Ashcroft Brand•Stratford, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Buyer/Planner manages all aspects of on-time materials procurement within a fast-paced, lean environment. This role is responsible for planning all activities related to materials for production, supporting Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) through accurate inventory management, and overseeing project management. Key objectives include achieving 100% on-time delivery, cost reduction, inventory turn improvement, and effective supplier management. The individual must be capable of working independently, cross-functionally, and collaboratively to maintain MRP/ERP accuracy, manage vendor relationships, and mitigate risks.

Requirements

Five to ten years’ technical experience with electronic components
Five to seven years’ materials experience in a manufacturing environment
BS Degree or equivalent experience
Strong working knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing process, MRP/ERP, Kanban/VMI Systems, and continuous process improvement
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access
Proven success in planning, scheduling, and project management execution
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across functions
Highly developed negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical skills
Experience with electronics required
U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident or granted Asylee/Refugee status under the Immigration and Nationality Act

Nice To Haves

Experience with global sourcing

Responsibilities

Analyze, set-up and control all manufactured and purchased requirements for assembly or fabrication based on forecasts, plans and customer service requirements, maintaining the integrity of MRP planning parameters (cost, LT, EOQ, SS) and ensuring 100% system data accuracy.
Convert MRP messages to purchase order plans that meet requirements for production or forecasted demand through inventory analysis.
Obtain purchased materials and services to quality and engineering standards as required through inventory analysis, at the best total cost and delivery.
Coordinate component and stock product scheduling and expediting to maintain accuracy and availability of purchased/manufactured materials while maintaining optimum inventory levels against target.
Understand and maintain optimal inventory of raw materials and finished goods and report on the status of inventory levels against inventory targets.
Work closely with Engineering, Marketing and other departments in value analysis to establish specifications, schedules and standards for new materials and determine whether to make or buy.
Coordinate the selection of new suppliers on the basis of their capability and capacity to meet all requirements while being cost-competitive.
Identify and initiate global sources for materials and services and maintain accurate item master data.
Initiate annual cost savings on production and non-production materials and services.
Manage suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, control inventories and ensure timely flow of material.
Develop most suitable purchasing arrangement for commodities, including contracts, blanket orders, spot purchase orders and vendor stocking arrangements.
Receive requisitions; analyze each item for quantity, specifications, and delivery requirements; develop and investigate sources of supply; issue request for quotations if required.
Develop substitutes if commodity as specified is unavailable or more economical products might be satisfactory.
Determine best source and issue purchase order.
Evaluate vendor performance based upon a formal supplier measurement process and information received from associates relative to supplier service.
Assess supplier performance to ensure contractual compliance and resolve any issues.
Develop/Maintain supplier scorecard metrics to help drive continuous process/lean improvements.
Document and create ad hoc reports as needed.
Advise management of industry competitive situations, alternative supply sources, raw material costs, commodity price trends, and supply-demand situations.
Identify, design, implement and actively manage new processes to improve supply chain efficiency such as E&O, OTD, bias etc.
Evaluate and report on KPIs and metrics.
Maintain effective communications and consistently respond with honesty and clarity with other department personnel.
Maintain good relationships with suppliers.