Buyer/Planner

Full-time in Lawrence, MA

Reporting to: Director of Supply Chain

Position Summary:

We seek a proactive and detail-oriented Buyer/Planner to support our assembly manufacturing plant. The Buyer/Planner will work closely with production and warehouse teams to maintain optimal inventory levels while ensuring cost-effectiveness and supplier reliability in a lean, 40-person plant environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement & Material Planning:

• Plan and procure materials such as sheet metal, battery packs, solar modules, wiring harnesses, and related components.
• Review production schedules and forecasts to determine material needs using MRP tools or manual planning methods.
• Issue and manage purchase orders,      track deliveries, and expedite critical materials as needed.
• Monitor inventory levels and place orders to maintain appropriate stock without over-purchasing.

Vendor & Supplier Management:

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships for quality, cost, and on-time delivery performance.
• Assist in the procurement of goods and services for the company
• Evaluate new suppliers and negotiate pricing and terms to support production goals and cost targets.
• Address and resolve issues related to quality, delays, or shortages with vendors.

Planning:

• Assist the Master Planner in creating production schedules based on sales forecasts, customer orders, or stock levels.
• Assist the Master Planner to ensure that materials, labor, and equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate production data, such as inventory levels, production output, and lead times.
• Track the status of manufacturing orders and flag any delays or bottlenecks.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Collaborating with production supervisors and teams leads to understanding material usage, lead times, and any changes to schedules.
• Support engineering changes and new product introductions with the timely sourcing of new components.
• Work with the warehouse team to ensure accurate receiving, inventory counts, and material flow to the floor.

Systems & Reporting:

• Maintain data integrity in the  ERP system or inventory management software.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, purchase price variance, and inventory turnover.
• Generate regular reports to support purchasing and planning decisions.

Requirements

  Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2–5 years of experience in a buyer/planner role, preferably in a small-to-mid-size manufacturing setting.
• Experience sourcing industrial, electrical, or solar-related components is a plus.
• Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, or similar).
• Knowledge of procurement regulations and procedures
• Strong organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with lean manufacturing or kanban systems.
• APICS/ASCM or ISM certifications (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPSM) are a plus.
• Comfortable working closely with shop floor teams in a small plant setting.