Buyer Planner

The Buyer/Planner (B/P) role will have primary responsibility for purchasing and production planning activities for New Product Development at the site to achieve business objectives, customer service goals, and optimize inventory. Includes proactive risk mitigation, supply execution oversight, forecasting, capacity planning, and monitoring and reporting of results.

B/P is responsible to set R&D production schedules accordingly to customer requirements related to product volume/mix and manufacturing capacity. B/P is responsible for ordering raw materials required to meet production requirements keeping raw materials inventory at the right levels. The B/P sets production line schedule and provides production work orders to support that schedule.

This role will indirectly oversee the warehouse team, responsible for receiving of raw materials, inventory storage and management, kitting of work orders for production, and shipping of product for sterilization.

Essential Functions:
• Work closely with R&D, Operations Manager, Production Supervisor, and Manufacturing Engineering to set weekly and monthly production schedules, as well as milestone production plans
• Meets regularly with Operations and R&D Management to review changing demand and schedule adjustments resulting from the unexpected (e.g., delayed raw material delivery).
• Must understand both project and financial implication of any schedule changes.
• Dotted line manages site warehouse and team, including processes of receiving, material handling and storage, work order kitting, shipping, and inventory transactions
• Drives twice-weekly production scheduling meetings with functional representatives
• Supports all plant safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals
• Lead Kaizen events and drive continuous improvement efforts with Operations to improve inventory accuracy, material flow, and turns
• Maintain and publish inventory status, including clear-to-build trackers for review
• Own the nonconforming material/MRB process, ensuring timely disposition of rejected material from supplier and assist R&D/Operations/Quality on corrective actions and recovery plans as needed

Job Qualifications:
• BS. Degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Planning, or equivalent
• 2 or more years of work experience in purchasing, materials planning and supply chain management. Medical device experience preferred
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems; SAP experience is preferred
• Very strong communication skills to influence external and internal suppliers and customers to minimize and eliminate all supply chain risks
• Good problem-solving skills to resolve planning and procurement as well as supplier issues
• Knowledge of LEAN, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives. Six Sigma Green Belt a plus
• Must be able to adapt to changing priorities and tasks and demonstrate flexibility in a changing business environment. Models a positive can-do attitude and is cooperative both within their function and company-wide
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a timely manner with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate a strong commitment and dedication to the organization on a consistent basis
• Willing to travel as needed