Summary The Buyer / Planner is responsible for planning and executing domestic and international procurement activities to ensure timely material availability and uninterrupted production. This role manages inventory levels and replenishment planning, monitors supplier lead times and costs, places and maintains purchase orders, and expedites materials to meet production and customer requirements. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven, with strong time management and a commitment to accuracy. The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while adapting to changing business needs. Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills are essential for success in this role. Job Responsibilities Utilize the Advanced Planning System (APS) and data-driven analysis to monitor inventory, forecast demand, and determine purchasing requirements based on inventory trends, production schedules, and customer demand; take appropriate action to minimize shortages, excess, and obsolete inventory. Create, issue, and maintain purchase orders and respond to purchasing and planning exceptions by expediting, rescheduling, reducing, or canceling orders as requirements change. Monitor supplier lead times, order status, pricing, acknowledgments, and delivery performance; proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure timely material availability and prevent disruptions. Process RFQs, identify the appropriate qualified suppliers, and negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and delivery schedules to achieve competitive costs and reliable supply. Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, cost, delivery, lead time, and overall service; support supplier qualification activities and develop qualified second-source suppliers to reduce supply risk and dependency on single-source suppliers. Create and maintain production job orders within the applicable planning/ERP system based on production schedules and customer requirements. Identify potential material shortages and supply disruptions, implement appropriate contingency actions, and communicate shortages, delivery delays, and schedule changes to production, customer service, and other appropriate personnel. Investigate and resolve purchasing, supplier quality, pricing, quantity, receiving, invoice, production, and delivery issues in coordination with suppliers and internal departments. Contribute to purchasing, inventory, supplier, and supply-chain performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve planning, inventory management, supplier performance, cost, and overall operational efficiency. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and business needs. Qualifications and Skills Associate degree or equivalent two-year post-secondary education in Materials Management, Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; or two or more years of experience in purchasing, materials planning, inventory management, manufacturing, or a related field. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy and follow-through. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience working with ERP, MRP, or Advanced Planning Systems preferred. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team. Must be authorized to work in the United States. The company does not provide employment visa sponsorship.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Referral program Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Application Question(s): How many years of experience in purchasing? How many years of experience planning production? How many years of experience in a manufacturing environment?

Experience:

ERP systems: 2 years (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Danvers, MA 01923 (Required)

Work Location:

In person