Buyer Planner I

Job Description

The Buyer Planner I is responsible for executing and supporting sourcing, purchasing, and planning activities related to production systems, including the procurement of standard materials as well as custom-fabricated components from machine and fabrication shops. This role actively tracks purchase order fulfillment, maintains ERP system data integrity, and assists the Operations team in achieving departmental objectives through effective supplier coordination, expediting, and issue resolution.

Essential Job Duties

• Process purchasing documentation (i.e., requisitions, purchase orders, cancellation forms) in accordance with company policies and procedures, utilizing the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (e.g., JD Edwards).
• Track, monitor, and maintain purchase order delivery schedules to ensure supplier adherence to committed dates and support on-time production.
• Assist in expediting purchase orders based on priorities established by project teams and Senior Planners.
• Support the resolution of invoicing discrepancies by liaising with Accounts Payable and suppliers, and preparing documentation for approval.
• Continuously maintain accurate ERP records, specifically focusing on item masters and vendor information, to ensure system integrity and accurate Material Requirements Planning (MRP) functionality.
• Review basic part blueprints and technical specifications to understand the required subcontract work and prepare information for vendor selection.
• Manage sourcing of custom-manufactured parts from fabrication and machine shop vendors, including RFQ development, supplier evaluation, and coordination to meet technical, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Assist in the negotiation process by gathering pricing data and preparing cost comparisons.
• Communicate daily with suppliers to expedite and resolve problems regarding costs, quality issues, quantity discrepancies, and delivery delays.
• Research and qualify potential new sources of supply for materials and services, presenting findings to the planning team.
• Perform preliminary review of product and services data to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements, presenting findings to the planning team.
• Gather and organize historical purchasing data and market pricing information to support the effective use of benchmarking for competitive pricing.
• Develop a strong foundational understanding of MRP principles and how system parameters impact supply chain reporting and planning decisions.
• Adhere to departmental policies, as well as all Company safety rules and Code of Business Conduct.
• Other duties as assigned to support the Purchasing/Supply Chain department.

Compensation: The base salary for this role is between $60,000- $75,000. The position is eligible for a discretionary bonus of 3-7% depending on individual and company performance. 

Location: Priority will be given to candidates located within a commutable distance of our Irvine, CA headquarters. Secondary preference will be to candidates located in the Eastern Time Zone.