Buyer​/Planner II

Overview

The Buyer Planner is responsible for the execution of purchased and manufactured planning activities for designated product line(s) with a focus on optimizing material flow. The position is also responsible for maintaining effective relationships with business unit leadership and sourcing management to ensure all tactical sourcing activities support the organization’s business needs, strategic goals and financial plan.

• Develop plans and execute purchase orders based on tactical parameters (supplier choice, price, delivery terms).
• Manage purchase order life cycle (creation, maintenance, follow through) with assigned vendors.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date reorder points and lot sizes for manufactured and purchased components.
• Negotiate pricing and execute purchase orders and agreements with suppliers to support business objectives.
• Place orders from approved suppliers to include verifying pricing, quantities needed, product availability, required delivery dates and best shipment methods.
• Respond to expedite requests from internal and external customers. Quote lead times on products to customer service.
• Provide machining and assembly schedules to the production team daily. Work with department supervisor to schedule overtime for the production team as necessary to meet customer needs.
• Review sales order backlog regularly and take action to reduce past due orders. Work with external vendors and internal departments to expedite components.
• Follow strategic sourcing strategies and supplier selections. Alert strategic sourcing if suppliers do not respect commitments and risk delaying the production schedule after having investigated all potential solutions with the Value Stream Manager.
• Manage incoming material flow to ensure inventory is maintained to the optimum level per established parameters. Provide strategic sourcing with proposals to improve the material flow from the supplier to the value stream.
• Understand and evaluate supplier processes, capacities and overall business capabilities to identify and implement areas for improvement in cost, quantity, delivery, quality, and inventory turns.
• Monitor order status in relation to production needs to verify materials are received on time.
• Utilize warehouse and inventory control policies and procedures to assure proper inventory levels.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and determine root causes.
• Support the implementation of standard processes for the vendor selection, material flow, and inventory management.
• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports as required.

• Knowledge of manufacturing standards and practices, along with Kanban and pull systems desired.
• Intermediate to advanced level proficiency MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). SAP knowledge and experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills, including the ability to gather and organize relevant information, and identify underlying issues or problems, trends, and cause-effect relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that foster teamwork and collaboration and develops high quality working relationships in order to influence, gain support, and achieve results.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively develop and write routine reports, process instructions and business correspondences. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees and managers, customers, and suppliers.
• Highly productive with a strong sense of urgency and orientation to details, accuracy, and excellent outcomes. Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset and an advocate for change. Exposure to lean manufacturing principles is a plus.
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to adapt to internal processes and change, delays or unexpected events. Ability to respond to adversity or restrictions of the organization with resilience and tenacity.
• Strong work ethic, including the ability to be self-directed and self-motivated. Demonstrated professionalism, passion, and initiative with projects and tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle proprietary and sensitive information with integrity.
• Willing and able to work extended hours, including overtime and weekends as required.
• Willing and able to occasionally travel domestically up to 10% to customer, supplier, and/or other Altra sites, including attendance at off-site meetings, events and professional development conferences or seminars.

• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance or Engineering
• 2+ years of relevant planning component and assembly operations.
• Previous purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Recognized certification in Supply Chain or Purchasing is preferred.
• Prior ERP experience…