Supply Chain Buyer Planner

Manufacturing Buyer Planner Location: Marietta, OH Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire Starting Salary: From $60,000 annually Position Overview We are seeking a Buyer Planner to support manufacturing operations through a combination of purchasing, material planning, and supplier coordination. This role manages the flow of materials from supplier purchase orders through production delivery while ensuring components are available to support manufacturing schedules. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with buyer/planner responsibilities in a manufacturing environment, understands ERP/MRP systems, and can manage material requirements for assembled products. This position works closely with supply chain, engineering, production, quality, and suppliers to maintain efficient material flow. Travel: Up to 10% for supplier visits and industry events.

Responsibilities Purchasing & Supplier Management

Create and manage purchase orders for electrical and mechanical components, including bus bars, circuit breakers, contactors, transformers, enclosures, cable assemblies, and switchgear components.

Identify, evaluate, and support qualification of suppliers based on technical requirements, cost, quality, and delivery performance.

Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and supplier agreements.

Monitor supplier performance using metrics such as on-time delivery, quality performance, and lead time accuracy.

Manage standard purchases, custom materials, blanket orders, and urgent sourcing needs.

Identify supply risks, including long-lead items, sole-source components, and potential production impacts.

Material Planning & Inventory Control

Use ERP/MRP systems to review demand, generate purchase requirements, and support production schedules.

Maintain accurate planning data, including lead times, reorder points, safety stock, and minimum order quantities.

Monitor inventory levels to support production needs while minimizing excess inventory.

Resolve shortages, expedite critical materials, and communicate supply risks.

Partner with production scheduling teams to align material availability with manufacturing requirements.

Perform cycle counts, inventory reviews, and discrepancy resolution.

Cross-Functional Support

Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions (NPI), engineering change orders (ECOs), and bill of materials (BOM) accuracy.

Work with Quality teams on supplier corrective actions (SCARs), non-conforming material (NCM) issues, and first-article inspections (FAIs).

Coordinate with receiving and logistics teams to support inbound shipments and material flow.

Provide supply updates and risk assessments to support customer delivery commitments.

Participate in Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) meetings and production readiness reviews.

Reporting & Process Improvement

Track supply chain metrics, including purchase price variance (PPV), supplier delivery performance, inventory turns, and shortage trends.

Support cost reduction efforts through supplier improvement, sourcing initiatives, and total cost analysis.

Improve procurement and planning processes through ERP optimization and data accuracy.

Participate in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement activities.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.

3–5+ years of experience in purchasing, material planning, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.

Experience sourcing electrical, electronic, or electromechanical components.

Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Infor, or similar.

Understanding of MRP processes, demand planning, and manufacturing supply chain practices.

Strong negotiation skills and experience improving supplier performance.

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and supply/demand analysis.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications Experience in power distribution, electrical equipment, switchgear, UPS, or critical power industries.

Familiarity with:

Power Distribution Cabinets (PDCs)

Static Transfer Switches (STS)

Remote Power Panels (RPPs)

Panelboards

Medium/Low Voltage Switchgear

APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM C.P.M./CPSM certification.

Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience.

Knowledge of UL, ANSI, IEC, NEMA, and NEC standards related to electrical equipment.

Experience with international suppliers, sourcing, customs, or import compliance.

Core Skills Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

MRP and Demand Planning

Inventory Optimization

Cost Negotiation

ERP Data Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Supply Risk Management

Problem Solving

Continuous Improvement

Work Environment On-site role within a manufacturing and assembly environment.

Regular computer-based work involving ERP systems, reporting, supplier communication, and data analysis.

Exposure to production areas, industrial equipment, electrical assemblies, and manufacturing materials.

Occasional travel to suppliers, warehouses, and customer locations.

Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout production areas for extended periods.

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. during inventory activities.