Sr. Buyer/ Planner/ Analyst

Job Summary The Sr. Buyer/ Planner/ Analyst is a strategic and operational leader responsible for the end-to-end materials management function at the Avilla, IN facility. This role owns the planning, procurement coordination, logistics, shipping, and receiving processes — ensuring that production schedules are consistently met while optimizing inventory levels, supplier performance, and total supply chain cost. The ideal candidate is an experienced supply chain professional with deep expertise in MRP/ERP-driven environments, a data-driven mindset, and a proven track record of cross-functional collaboration. This individual will serve as the critical link between customer demand signals, supplier capabilities, and production execution.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Supply Chain Planning & Scheduling Lead MRP execution — manage net requirements, release work orders and purchase requisitions, and drive schedule attainment across all production lines Develop and maintain master production schedules (MPS) — balancing customer demand, capacity constraints, and material availability Conduct capacity planning and utilization analysis — identify bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions in collaboration with operations leadership Monitor and manage key planning KPIs — including schedule adherence, inventory turns, days on hand, and fill rate Lead SIOP participation — provide materials and supply chain input to the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning process Supplier & Procurement Management Own supplier performance management — including OTD, quality metrics, and total landed cost optimization Manage international and domestic supplier relationships — with expertise in global logistics, Incoterms, import/export compliance, and customs documentation Manage/execute purchase order exception/Lead supplier development initiatives — including corrective management reconciliation Manage Tier level pricing usage for Purchase Price Variance (PPV) — in alignment with annual cost-down targets Partner with procurement and commodity management teams — to support contract negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives Inventory & Cost Optimization Optimize inventory levels — managing/executing min/max, safety stock, and reorder point strategies to reduce carrying cost without risking line stoppages Lead physical inventory and cycle count programs — ensuring ERP inventory accuracy at or above 98% Analyze and report on excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory — driving disposition and write-off reduction Support working capital improvement goals — by reducing lead times, improving forecast accuracy, and tightening supplier delivery windows Logistics & Operations Oversee inbound and outbound freight management — of orders for freight cost optimization Manage customs, compliance, and international freight documentation — for cross-border shipments Maintain data integrity across ERP systems — including BOMs, routings, lead times, and supplier master data, escalate corrections to corporate Drive continuous improvement initiatives — in warehouse layout, dock utilization, and receiving processes Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as the primary supply chain liaison to the plant manager and operations team — translating customer requirements into executable production plans Partner with engineering and quality teams — on new product introduction (NPI) material readiness and engineering change management Present supply chain metrics and risk summaries — to plant and senior leadership on a regular cadence Lead root cause analysis and corrective action — for material shortages, supplier disruptions, and logistics failures

Required Qualifications:

5+ years of materials planning, supply chain, or operations experience — in a manufacturing environment Demonstrated proficiency in ERP systems — SAP, Oracle, or similar — including MRP execution, inventory management, and reporting Advanced Microsoft Excel skills — including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis Experience managing international supplier relationships — with working knowledge of global logistics, Incoterms, and import/export compliance Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects — and influence without direct authority Strong analytical and problem-solving skills — with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable recommendations Excellent communication and interpersonal skills — with demonstrated ability to present to leadership audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related technical field APICS CPIM or CSCP certification — strongly preferred; candidates actively pursuing certification will be considered Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training desired — with hands-on project experience Experience in a high-mix, low-volume or custom manufacturing environment Knowledge of automotive or industrial supply chain standards — (e.g., IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements) Familiarity with demand planning tools or advanced planning systems (APS)

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Buyer/ Planner/ Analyst:

5 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person