Subcontract Buyer/Planner

Victaulic•Easton, PA

13d

About The Position

This role exists to keep subcontracted work and purchased inventory moving on schedule once a project or commitment has been placed. It calls for close, cross-functional collaboration—with internal project teams, engineering, quality, and other stakeholders—to hold subcontractors accountable to scope, quality, and delivery timelines, and to resolve issues before they reach the customer. On the planning side, the role keeps active items in stock without building excess: managing safety stock, Kanban, and ERP data so material is available when needed and inventory doesn't outrun demand.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (4-yr) and/or equivalent experience.
Minimum 3 years of experience in Buying or Planning, Material Control, Subcontract Administration, or related fields.
In-depth knowledge of ERP and/or material planning systems required (BPCS and/or M3).
Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Strong analytical problem-solving ability.
Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and hold subcontractors accountable to contractual commitments.
Experience with purchase order and contract administration, including payment approvals and change orders.
Willing to make infrequent overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Completed or working towards Master's Degree or Supply Chain Certification.
Six Sigma trained or certified (Black or Green Belt).

Responsibilities

Serve as the critical link between internal project management and external trade vendors, owning subcontracted projects through completion once subcontractors have been sourced and secured by internal sourcing agents.
Work closely with internal sourcing agents throughout the subcontract lifecycle to ensure a smooth handoff and continued alignment on subcontractor performance, scope changes, and vendor relationship management.
Work cross-functionally in and outside the organization to identify and manage the scope of projects; issue and manage subcontract purchase orders, shop orders, and component planning to meet customer demand.
Monitor subcontractor performance, quality, and on-time delivery; manage capacity constraints and reallocate work across subcontractors as needed; coordinate with engineering and quality on specifications and compliance requirements.
Own the day-to-day tactical relationship with subcontractors, holding them accountable to contractual scope, quality standards, and delivery timelines while efficiently managing the assigned group of items and suppliers.
Proactively identify and resolve discrepancies related to cost, delivery, quantity, and invoicing.
Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities within subcontract management and administration processes.
Identify cost reduction and avoidance opportunities across active subcontracted scopes and route them to the appropriate sourcing or commodity owners for action.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal project teams, internal sourcing agents, and subcontractors to ensure smooth project execution.
Work cross-functionally with suppliers and stakeholders to establish lead times and delivery schedules, actively monitoring those schedules to ensure on-time delivery, and report out on subcontractor and supplier performance.
Use available inventory replenishment methods and practices to ensure minimum SLOB (slow/obsolete) and scrap inventory and maximum availability of inventory for active items, including strategic inventory hedge builds and new product introduction support.
Demonstrate successful experience in Kanban; know how to establish safety stock positions, best stocking locations, and Kanban lot sizes.
Develop and manage the various databases needed to ensure systems work smoothly, including Kanban, MRP, Wait-Work sheets, Safety Stock, BPCS/CIC/BPA, and Lead-times.
Be proficient in expediting suppliers and logistics and familiar with impact order management; escalate when necessary.
Resolve problems and discrepancies with quality, delivery dates, quantity, and invoicing of purchased commodities using a 360-degree material planning approach.
Practice lead-time suppression and remain alert to removing waste from the process (lean).
Act as trainer/mentor for newer Buyer/Planners.
Sufficiently understand and compile assigned reports for the Purchasing Team.
Actively pursue and engage in projects and process improvement opportunities; participate in and use the quality improvement process to resolve problems in the work environment.
Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and comfort leading a team; work well in a team environment using several problem-solving techniques.
Maintain a customer-service-driven approach.
Be available for evening and weekend communication with overseas team members or suppliers as occasionally required.