Planner/ Buyer - Security Clearance Eligibility Required

Job Summary 

This individual is responsible for the planning and purchasing of raw material supporting production. This position will manage select suppliers to ensure on time delivery at competitive pricing while managing inventory levels to prevent shortages and maximize production efficiency. 

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks 

• Analyze messages from and MRP system and place orders in a timely manner. 
• Forecast and plan assigned commodities at the SKU level. 
• Manage suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, control inventories, and ensure timely flow of material. 
• Monitor and report key performance metrics, including Purchase Price Variance, inventories, shortages, and supplier performance. 
• Manage inventories to ensure continuous production while maximizing turns. 
• Develop thorough working knowledge of assigned commodities and associated supplier base. 
• Develop a thorough working knowledge of required MRP / ERP systems. 
• Bring ideas to management and be able to implement necessary process improvements. 
• Able and willing to work necessary hours to meet all project deadlines, travel when necessary. 
• Develop mutually beneficial, respectful, and effective relationships with peers to ensure seamless coordination between departments, maximize synergy, and maintain a shared vision, strategy, and focus 

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Qualifications 

Minimum Requirements 

• Completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's or higher degree in business, engineering or a related field. Substitutions: Four (4) years of professional experience can be substituted for two (2) years of the educational requirements. 

• Must be extremely computer literate and agile, strong Costpoint ERP and MS Excel skills is a plus.  

• Working knowledge of MRP systems.  

• In-depth understanding of MRP concepts including bills of material.  

• Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with direct equivalent experience is required. 

• CPIM, CSCP, CPSM certifications strongly desired. 

• Must enjoy team collaboration and networking for problem resolution. 

• Must be detailed oriented with the ability to manage multiple requirements at the same time. Costpoint ERP experience is highly beneficial. 

• Experience with MRP, or a desire to learn MRP, is a necessity. 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required. 

Essential Mental Requirements 

• Strong analytical skills with attention to details.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Problem solving and reasoning skills to assist with resolution of issues. 

• Strong organizational skills. 

• Capability to interpret data. 

Essential Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.  

The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds. 

Equipment/Software/Tools Used 

• Computer, copier/printer/fax machine, filing cabinets, label maker and scanner. 

• Basic computer operating system (Windows); Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, SharePoint).  Costpoint ERP software.