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Form of workJob Description
Position Title: Material Buyer/Planner
Department: Operations
Reports to: General Manager
Positions Supervised: None
General Purpose:
This Material Buyer/Planner position is accountable for efficiently planning and executing the procurement of materials required for manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for close collaboration with suppliers, production planning, engineering, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and cost-effective material procurement, maintaining inventory levels, and optimizing supply chain processes. This role requires excellent organizational skills, strong analytical abilities, and effective communication to ensure smooth material flow and support production objectives.
Key Activities:
Activity A:
Material Sourcing/Purchasing Percentage: 35%
Department: Operations
Reports to: General Manager
Positions Supervised: None
General Purpose:
This Material Buyer/Planner position is accountable for efficiently planning and executing the procurement of materials required for manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for close collaboration with suppliers, production planning, engineering, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and cost-effective material procurement, maintaining inventory levels, and optimizing supply chain processes. This role requires excellent organizational skills, strong analytical abilities, and effective communication to ensure smooth material flow and support production objectives.
Key Activities:
Activity A:
Material Sourcing/Purchasing Percentage: 35%
- Sourcing of manufacturing components, materials and supplies from established vendors
- Placing purchase orders for all required direct and indirect materials to support production
- Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, and most effective logistics arrangements
- Prepares RFQs and evaluates quotations based on price, quality and logistics requirements
- Continuously reviews opportunities for material cost reduction across supplier/vendor base
- Leads new vendor identification, evaluation and selection in collaboration with engineering and quality to support material requirements based on new product development initiatives
- Stays informed of general industry trends as they relate to procurement of materials for power quality and power conversion solutions
Activity B:
Material Planning/Scheduling Percentage: 25%
- Analyze demand forecasts, production schedules, and inventory levels to determine optimal quantities and timing for material procurement
- Determine material order quantities and required shipping schedule based on sales forecasts and finished goods shipment schedules
- Maintain accurate records of stock levels, material consumption, and procurement activities using appropriate business systems or tools.
- Responsible for optimizing inventory levels to ensure on-time material availability including minimum stock, order quantities, and replenishment lead time to also minimize excess stock
- Lead in the reallocation/disposition of obsolete materials as required
Activity C:
Supplier Involvement/Development Percentage: 25%
Supplier Involvement/Development Percentage: 25%
- Monitor supplier performance, track deliveries, and address supply issues or delays to ensure on-time delivery of materials
- Provide timely consolidated raw material forecasts to suppliers and define order release requirements as appropriate
- Assist in resolving supplier performance issues (delivery/quality) or pricing disputes
- Provide supplier performance metrics/reports/scorecard (quality, delivery, cost, etc.)
- Participate in supplier audits and on-site supplier visits as appropriate
Activity D:
Process/Business System Improvement Percentage: 15%
Process/Business System Improvement Percentage: 15%
- Continuously evaluate opportunities for business process improvement and leverage best-in [1] class procurement practices
- Responsible for implementing procurement strategies, policies, and procedures to optimize supply chain efficiency
- Leads the definition of material planning, procurement, management requirements for optimizing current business systems and the migration/implementation of new systems
Activity E:
Other responsibilities as determined by management Percentage:
Varies Core Competencies:
Planning and Organizing Time Management/Priority Setting Negotiating and Mediating Teamwork Attention to Detail Proactivity & Self-Motivation Decision Making Problem Solving Critical ElementsOther responsibilities as determined by management Percentage:
Varies Core Competencies:
- Advanced negotiation skills
- Sourcing/purchasing experience
- Material scheduling/planning
- Attention to detail/accuracy
Skills & Abilities:
- Takes initiative and results oriented to agreed commitments and timelines
- Time management – ability to individually set goals, plan and prioritize
- Builds strong relationships utilizing sound interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
- Strong negotiation skills that result in positive supplier relationship
- Collaborates across departments and business functions
- Confident in leading team, projects, and business initiatives
- Good business communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to accuracy and precision
- Advanced Microsoft Office Skills (Excel, Word, Visio, BI, PowerPoint)
- Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing ERP systems (MS Dynamics AX / D365 preferred)
- Ability to travel at least 5% of the time
Minimum Qualifications (Education):
- Associates degree in Business Required
- Bachelors degree in Business or Supply Chain Management Preferred
Previous Experience Required
- 3-5 years experience in Purchasing, Procurement, and/or Materials Management within the electrical/electronics field - CPSM/CSCP a plus
- Demonstrated experience in material planning, purchasing and/or procurement, or related in a manufacturing or production environment
- Knowledge of supply chain management principles, inventory control methods, and procurement best practices.
