Sr. Buyer/Planner

LinkedIn • Stratford, CT

20h • Onsite

About The Position

Manage all facets of on-time materials procurement for fast-paced, lean environment. Responsible for planning all activities for materials to production, support Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) through accurate inventory management as well as project management. Specific objectives include 100% on-time delivery, cost reduction, inventory turn improvement and supplier management. Work well independently, x-functionally and collaboratively to effectively maintain MRP/ERP accuracy, vendor relationship and risk management.

Requirements

• Five to ten 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.
• Experience managing buy-out procurement and EPC orders, including MRP-driven planning, supplier coordination, and shortage resolution.
• Proven ability to drive cross-functional execution and operational alignment within a high-mix manufacturing environment.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with global sourcing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Based on forecasts, plans and customer service requirements; analyze, set-up and control all manufactured and purchased requirements for assembly or fabrication maintaining the integrity of MRP planning parameters (cost, LT, EOQ, SS) while ensuring 100% system data accuracy at all times.
• Through inventory analysis, convert MRP messages to purchase orders plans that meets requirements for production or forecasted demand.
• 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.
• Assessing 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 reports on KPIs and metrics
• Maintain effective communications and consistently respond with honesty and clarity with other department personnel.
• Maintain good relationships with suppliers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior