Overview As Sr. Buyer/Planner you will procure technically engineered components to support new product development and manufacturing lines. You will align purchasing activities with corporate standards, goals, and KPIs while managing RFQs, negotiations, and supplier performance. You will determine sourcing options, analyze costs, and maintain ERP data to secure a reliable supply pipeline. In a fast-paced, global manufacturing environment you will collaborate cross-functionally to drive cost savings and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities- Analyze demand, forecasts, and historical usage to plan make-to-order, stock-to-order, and build-to-forecast scenarios
- Manage MRP parameters and ensure inventory readiness to meet demand and schedule changes
- Create and track purchase orders; resolve late/partial shipments and invoicing discrepancies
- Expedite materials and resolve shipment issues; attend production and project meetings for critical items
- Ensure accuracy of supplier/item master data (UOM, prices, lead times)
- Prepare RFQs and conduct cost/lead-time/terms analyses ensuring technical compliance
- Collaborate with Commodity Managers to source cost-saving suppliers while meeting TCO, quality, and delivery goals
- Monitor contract performance for compliance and manage stocking programs (Kanban, JIT)
- Develop suppliers through KPI reviews focused on delivery, quality, and service levels
- Communicate pricing issues to Purchasing Manager timely
- Mentor teammates to share procurement skills
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead-time/quality improvements
- Follow SOPs and generate departmental reports
- Document and implement savings and maintain transparency of results
Key requirements- Understanding of materials flow and global market trends
- Strong negotiation, price analysis, and make/buy analysis skills
- Experience with domestic and international sourcing and supplier development
- MRP experience in an ERP environment (IFS preferred)
- Data extraction and analysis from ERP to support management decisions
- Inventory management knowledge in lean manufacturing
- Ability to understand technical documents for purchasing
- Experience in high-mix, low-volume custom fabrication environments
- Experience buying metals, motors, pumps, and rotors (a plus)
- Cross-functional teamwork in a matrixed organization
- Project management and multi-tasking with urgency
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across global levels
- High ethical standards (Code of Conduct)
- MS Office proficiency; advanced Excel skills (pivot, VLOOKUP, macros a plus)
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Negotation
- Cost analysis
- Make/buy analysis
